In the face of crimes migrating to the digital world, a legal expert in Davao Oriental has a clear message for parents: there is no harm in being excessively cautious about their children's online safety. The call to action emphasizes that heightened vigilance is a necessary shield against online predators.
Vigilance Over Complacency in the Digital Age
Speaking at the Kolokabildo sang Davao Oriental media forum, Provincial Prosecutor Atty. Apple Cherrie S. Amolata-Javier addressed the evolving nature of crime. She stated that with the rapid advancement of technology, many platforms that seem safe for children can actually expose them to greater risks, particularly Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (OSAEC).
"There’s no such thing as overprotective because crimes have now evolved," Amolata-Javier asserted. "To ensure the safety of our children, we should be vigilant because complacency invites crime. So vigilance is the key. We can say that it’s being paranoid, but that will keep our children safe."
Practical Steps for Parental Monitoring
The prosecutor urged parents to consistently check their children's online activities, especially on frequently used apps and games. She warned that predators often lurk in seemingly innocent spaces, luring and grooming children without parental knowledge.
She outlined several practical measures parents can take:
- Regularly review and adjust privacy settings on all devices and platforms.
- Activate and utilize built-in parental control features.
- Set and enforce reasonable limits on daily screen time.
- Monitor the apps and games children download and use.
- Keep a close eye on their children's online friends and interactions.
Amolata-Javier highlighted a critical and unsettling fact: most OSAEC offenders are not strangers. "Nine out of 10 cases of this kind of crime are committed by persons who enjoy your trust and confidence, even your friends," she explained, drawing a parallel to patterns seen in rape cases.
OSAEC Reaches Remote Communities
While these crimes occur online, the prosecutor noted they are no longer confined to urban centers with robust internet. The proliferation of affordable "piso Wi-Fi" in rural and remote areas has broadened access, unfortunately also expanding the reach of predators.
She revealed that a recent OSAEC case in Davao Oriental was investigated in a remote municipality, underscoring the widespread nature of the threat. To combat this, information and education campaigns are being intensified, now targeting schoolchildren in partnership with the Department of Education.
"The focus of that advocacy is to inform, to capacitate these students with respect to their knowledge of the OSAEC law," Amolata-Javier said. The goal is deterrence, empowering children with the knowledge to recognize and report abuse.
Currently, Davao Oriental has only one active OSAEC case on record, stemming from a raid conducted earlier this year. Charges have been filed and the case is now undergoing trial.
