Converge seeks better technologies to make internet safe for children

CONVERGE ICT Solutions, Inc. on Tuesday said it is increasing its investments in technologies that would ensure its services are safe from the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

“In the recent months, we invested a lot of money (over P100 million) to have substantial upgrades on our system to ensure that our network is safe against children sexual abuse,” Converge Chief Technology Officer Ronald G. Brusola said during a virtual briefing.

“We will continue to invest more in latest and best technologies available to ensure that the internet service we are providing is safe. We will continue to partner with other organizations with the same goal of reducing sexual abuse and exploitation of children,” he added.

Converge signed a memorandum of agreement with child rights protection group Stairway Foundation, Inc. to advance the cause of preventing the abuse of children online.

“More than curbing the consumption of OSAEC (online sexual abuse of children) content, the market for which is the West, we are making strides to ensure the creation of such content is stopped,” Converge Strategy Officer Benjamin B. Azada said.

“Through programs of rights awareness and education, Converge can more actively contribute to child protection in a preventive, not just a palliative way,” he added.

According to Stairway Foundation, the average age of children first going online is 10 years old. “With the basic education continuity plan of the Department of Education, the number may be much lower. They spend an average of two hours online. The internet is very much ingrained into children’s lives today and we have to be aware of the greater risk involved,” said Ysrael Diloy, Stairway Foundation child protection specialist.

Converge also introduced its own information and awareness campaign, “Undo Filter.” The campaign aims to encourage Converge employees and third-party stakeholders to monitor their children’s activities online.

The company said it has blocked 20,000 websites that host images and videos of child sexual abuse. — Arjay L. Balinbin