Leading broadband and technology provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. has once again staged another session of its Project PIGLET (Privacy Integration through Guided Learning of Emerging Technologies) initiative, in its continuing effort to educate the youth on protecting themselves online.

Spearheaded by the Corporate Governance and Data Privacy Group of Converge, Project PIGLET was recently conducted for eighty, Grade 6 students of the Timoteo Paez Elementary School in Malibay, Pasay City.

Notably, 20 parents also attended the program to hear from the company’s privacy officers on how to guide their children online.

“As a fiber broadband company, and especially now as we evolve in becoming a technology company, we hold fast to our advocacy on safe and responsible use of technology. Artificial intelligence, for example, is a transformative tool that unlocks so many opportunities, but in the wrong hands they may be used to endanger and intensify crimes such as OSAEC (online sexual abuse and exploitation of children),” noted Atty. Laurice Esteban-Tuason, Converge Corporate Compliance and Data Protection officer.

“This program is our way of giving back to children, parents and teachers especially with everyone having gadgets today. The internet and these gadgets are crucial tools for learning, especially during the pandemic. But we have to acknowledge that they pose dangers as well, and based on studies, children are the most vulnerable to them. That’s why we target them as our audience,” underlined Converge Data Privacy manager Atty. Janine Villabeto-Solete.

Compliance officer for Privacy Larry Caduada imparted lessons on creating safe online practices through a fun and interactive story-telling session.

The narrative follows the adventures of “Captain Conrad’ who patrols the internet and protects the “Astro Friends” (young internet users) from malicious agents online.

“Now that we’re living in a digital world, our children need to be protected. The risks for them now are not just for their physical safety but psychological and emotional, which can be exposed when they’re online and interacting with so many agents. We’re grateful Project PIGLET was able to explain how they can navigate the online space, through story-telling,” said Timoteo Paez Elementary School principal Jeanne Rejuso.

In recognition of this advocacy push to teach the youth about responsible internet use, Project PIGLET was recently named a finalist to the National Privacy Commission’s Privacy Initiative of the Year, announced during the Privacy Awareness Week in June.

The staging of Project PIGLET is just one in a series of activities held in celebration of Privacy Awareness Week (14 to 25 July) at Converge.

Executives of Converge conveyed their messages of support and continuing commitment to data privacy at the opening activity held 14 July, followed by games, a photo booth, and food carts for employees.