PLDT, Smart Hold Cyber Safety Workshop for Blind Students

In a classroom at the Philippine National School for the Blind (PNSB), the lesson shifted from traditional subjects to something less visible but increasingly urgent: how to stay safe online. For three days in March, PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), in partnership with Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired (ATRIEV), conducted a cyber safety workshop for visually impaired women and girls. The initiative was part of International Women’s Month celebrations, underscoring the importance of digital inclusion and online protection.

Empowering Students Through Cyber Safety

The sessions gathered 25 participants — 17 students and 8 teachers — and focused on the risks that threaten online experiences, including phishing, impersonation, scams, and digital harassment. Practical lessons covered privacy, managing app permissions, and “cyber hygiene”—routine steps that make accounts harder to breach.

Grade 12 student Rea Mae Baclle shared how the training helped her understand account security: “Madali po siyang maintindihan. Natuto po ako kung paano i-secure ng maayos ang account ko para hindi ito mapasok ng hackers.”

She added that she now intends to limit what she shares online and strengthen her account security with authentication tools to guard against phishing attempts.

Addressing Real‑World Risks

For Grade 9 student Yhanna Corde, the lessons reflected risks she had already encountered. “Importante po na maging safe tayo kahit online. Hindi lang sa totoong buhay nangyayari ang panganib. Pwede rin po tayong ma-scam o ma-harass sa internet,” she said.

Having experienced online harassment, Corde explained that the workshop gave her a clearer sense of how to respond: “Hindi ko na po siya i-ignore. Ire-report ko na po at ipapaalam sa mga nakatatanda.”

Her testimony highlights the importance of equipping vulnerable groups with practical tools to navigate the digital space securely.

IDEATe Program: Inclusion Through Technology

The workshop is part of PLDT and Smart’s broader effort to expand digital inclusion through their IDEATe (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Advocacy through Technology) program. IDEATe aims to make technology and digital skills more accessible, particularly to underserved communities.

“Digital inclusion goes beyond connectivity — it means ensuring that every Filipino, especially those in vulnerable sectors, has the knowledge and tools to stay safe online,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, Assistant Vice President and Head of Public Engagement at PLDT and Smart. “Through initiatives like this, we aim to equip visually‑impaired women and girls with practical skills to navigate the digital space securely and with confidence.”

Investing in Cybersecurity

Beyond workshops, PLDT and Smart continue to invest heavily in cybersecurity infrastructure to protect customers, particularly children, from online threats. In February alone, the Cyber Security Operations Group blocked more than 14 billion attempts to access malicious domains, while the PLDT Group thwarted over 387 million cyberattack attempts on its network.

These figures underscore the scale of online risks and the importance of proactive measures to safeguard users. By combining infrastructure investments with community education, PLDT and Smart are building a safer digital environment for all.

Building Confidence in the Digital World

As more aspects of daily life move online, risks can be harder to see—and for some, harder to navigate. For visually impaired students, the challenges are even greater. Programs like the cyber safety workshop at PNSB help narrow that gap, ensuring that access to the digital world comes with the knowledge to move through it safely.

By empowering visually impaired women and girls with cyber safety skills, PLDT and Smart are not only protecting individuals but also fostering confidence, independence, and inclusion in the digital age.

Conclusion

The cyber safety workshop at the Philippine National School for the Blind demonstrates how PLDT and Smart are extending their commitment to digital inclusion. By equipping visually impaired students and teachers with practical skills to protect themselves online, the companies are helping ensure that connectivity translates into empowerment, not vulnerability.

Through the IDEATe program, ongoing cybersecurity investments, and community partnerships, PLDT and Smart continue to champion a safer, more inclusive digital future—one where every Filipino, regardless of ability, can navigate the online world with confidence.