This Safer Internet Month, TikTok emphasized Filipino teens' right to express themselves authentically and creatively, while staying safe online.
Grounded in a rights-based approach to digital safety, the platform launched the #ThinkTwice Troop, convened civil society partners, and participated in key Safer Internet Day celebrations, highlighting collective action to build safer, more positive digital spaces for young people.
Beyond events and partnerships, TikTok continues to protect young users through proactive safety measures. These include default privacy and screen time settings for teens, in-app reporting tools, robust content moderation, and features such as Family Pairing and Time and Well-being to help families manage digital habits. TikTok also invests in educational initiatives, such as its flagship digital literacy campaign #ThinkTwice, providing teens, parents, and educators with tips and resources for responsible online engagement.
#ThinkTwice Troop Launch
(From left) Mona Magno-Veluz, Digital Historian and Inclusion Advocate; Hazel Bitaña, Deputy Regional Executive Director of Child Rights Coalition Asia; Claire Laison, Director of the Child Rights Desk at the Ateneo Human Rights Center; Yves Gonzalez, Head of Public Policy for the Philippines at TikTok; and Psychologist Riyan Portuguez at the launch of the #ThinkTwice Troop.
The #ThinkTwice Troop brings together child rights organizations, youth safety advocates, and creators. On February 19, TikTok introduced the initial Troop members at a media event, where Troop members highlighted the need for a multi-sectoral approach to teen online safety.
- "Many young people view online spaces as venues for identity and expression, describing them as places where they can share thoughts without being judged. They are seeking greater inclusion in conversations involving government, platforms, and parents," said Hazel Bitaña, Deputy Regional Executive Director of Child Rights Coalition Asia (CRC Asia).
- Claire Laison, Director of the Child Rights Desk at the Ateneo Human Rights Center, added, "The Philippines already has strong laws addressing online child protection. Proactive reporting of problematic content is essential to safeguarding children online."
- Creators Mona Magno-Veluz (@mightymagulang), digital historian and inclusion advocate, and Riyan Portuguez (@yourmillennialpsych), registered psychometrician, reminded teens and families to "always consume and create content with restraint" and emphasized that mindful online use must be supported by healthy offline communication in families.
Safer Internet Day Celebrations
TikTok joined Safer Internet Day events hosted by the Quezon City Government and Plan International Pilipinas, a girls' and children's rights non-government organization. In line with this year's theme, "Smart tech, safe choices", the celebrations tackled the digital risks being faced by youth online, and what the platforms, the private sector, government, and educators can do to respond.
Yves Gonzalez during the Quezon City Government's Safer Internet Day event.
At the Safer Internet Day 2026 event hosted by Plan International Pilipinas, TikTok joined a youth-moderated panel discussion focused on safeguarding girls, children, and young people in AI-driven digital spaces. Yves Gonzalez, Head of Public Policy for the Philippines at TikTok, highlighted the platform's policies on AI-generated content (AIGC), as well as zero-tolerance approach to child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Pebbles Sanchez-Ogang, Executive Director of Plan International Pilipinas, emphasized the need for collective action. "Digital safety is a shared responsibility", she said. "'Smart Tech' must prioritize child protection, and 'Smart Choices' are required of all of us--government, tech companies, communities, and families--to create safer spaces for girls, children, and young people."
Youth advocates were among the attendees of Plan International Pilipinas' Safer Internet Day celebration.
Through its initiatives and continued collaboration with key stakeholders, TikTok continues to equip teens with the tools and guidance they need to navigate the online world safely and responsibly, while recognizing their rights as digital citizens.