Around 30 Filipino teens from across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao gathered in Manila for a dialogue with tech companies last 12 to 14 May 2026 at the “Yap Sesh on Tech: Dialogue between Filipino Teens and the Tech Sector.”
Organized by Child Rights Coalition Asia (CRC Asia), in partnership with ChildFund Philippines and ChorogUsan for Children through the Promoting Digital Literacy for Learning and Optimized Online Protection (Pro-Digital LOOP) Project, the dialogue allowed Filipino teens to “yap” about their views, experiences, and recommendations on digital platforms, online safety, privacy, mental health, age assurance, parental controls, artificial intelligence, and other emerging online issues to tech companies.
Throughout the dialogue, teens worked alongside representatives from CRC Asia and partner tech companies, including TikTok and PLDT & Smart and shared insights based on their lived experiences online and discussed how digital platforms can better respond to the needs and realities of young users.
“Importante na mapahayag ng mga kabataan at hindi lang mapahayag pero parte sila sa pagbuo ng mga solusyon na i-improve ang mga platforms at iba’t ibang mga apps,” said Amihan Abueva, Regional Executive Director of Child Rights Coalition Asia (CRC Asia).
Key themes raised during the dialogue included:
- Child participation in technology design and policy development
- Online privacy and data protection
- Age assurance, age verification, and age estimation systems
- Parental controls and children’s evolving capacities
- Mental health and online wellbeing
- Freedom of expression and access to quality information
- Emerging online risks
Participants also discussed how digital platforms are increasingly integrated into young people’s daily social and economic interactions, including the use of online platforms and digital payment tools for mobile load transactions and peer-to-peer exchanges.
“Digital users kami. Mahalaga magkaroon ng reliable internet connection, lalo na sa areas kung saan walang signal. Kaya natutuwa kami na may opportunity kami para maibahagi ito sa PLDT-SMART,” said one participant.
Several teens described the dialogue as an opportunity to see that organizations and tech companies are willing to listen, exert effort, and address gaps and concerns in the digital environment.
“Hindi namin alam na may ganun na palang [safety and well-being] features si Tiktok. Pero iba ‘yung feeling na totoong pinapakinggan ka. And nakita kong willing sila makipagusap – hindi lang para may maishare sa social media o magpabango. Pero talagang nakikinig sila,” said another participant.
At the end of the dialogue, the teens consolidated a set of recommendations for partner tech companies aimed at building safer, more inclusive, child-friendly, and rights-based digital platforms for their fellow children and youth.
Teens also stressed the importance of involving young people in discussions on policies and regulations affecting their digital lives.
“Yung usapin ng social media restrictions, mahalaga pagusapan. Kasi bago man may maisabatas sila, dapat kausapin muna nila kami. Madali lang gumawa ng kung anu-anong batas pero ano ba tingin nilang tingin namin?” said one teen.
Participants highlighted the need for more spaces where children and youth are consulted, listened to, and recognized as contributors to solutions in the digital environment.
“Kami ‘yung torch na kailangan ng another fire para gumana, para magningas. Kayo pong mga nakatatanda ‘yung fire na magsisindi sa amin para tuloy-tuloy po kaming makapag-contribute,” another participant shared.
“Yap Sesh on Tech” underscores the importance of collaboration among young people, civil society organizations, and the technology sector in co-creating digital spaces that reflect the realities, aspirations, and evolving capacities of children and teens.
As part of the consultation process, facilitators guided participants through discussions on their online experiences, digital safety concerns, interactions with technology platforms, and their vision for a safer and more empowering online environment for Filipino children and youth.
“We hope that the dialogue would strengthen collaboration between children, civil society organizations, and the private sector in advancing children’s rights in the digital environment — always for and with children in Asia,” said Abueva.
About Child Rights Coalition Asia (CRC Asia)
Child Rights Coalition Asia (CRC Asia) is a regional network of child rights organizations working to advance children’s rights and child participation across Asia. CRC Asia works for and with children and young people in advocacy, policy engagement, and consultations on emerging issues affecting children, including digital rights and online safety.
About ChildFund Philippines
ChildFund Philippines works to help children, families, and communities overcome poverty and achieve lasting change through programs focused on education, child protection, youth development, and disaster response.
About ChorogUsan for Children
ChorogUsan for Children (formerly ChildFund Korea) supports initiatives that promote children’s rights, protection, and wellbeing through partnerships and child-centered development programs.
Media Contact
Mica Fernando, Child Rights Coalition Asia
mfernando@crcasia.org
09399181820
