Child rights advocates are raising alarm over the rapid rise of artificial intelligence-enabled online abuse targeting Filipino children, warning that technology is evolving faster than safeguards meant to protect young users.

Plan International Pilipinas and Consuelo Foundation recently convened lawmakers, technology firms, youth leaders and civil society groups for a Safer Internet Day event focused on the growing threat of AI-powered exploitation.

The organizations flagged the proliferation of AI tools capable of generating hyper-realistic images, videos and voice recordings — technologies that are increasingly being misused to exploit, harass and extort minors online. Among the threats cited were AI-generated sexual images, deepfake content, impersonation scams and grooming tactics that are becoming harder for parents and authorities to detect.

“We are facing a reality where algorithms move faster than our laws, leaving children vulnerable to abuse before we even know the risks exist,” said Pebbles Sanchez-Ogang, executive director of Plan International Pilipinas.

Data cited during the event showed that one in two children has experienced some form of online violence, while seven out of 10 girls reported facing online abuse. Advocates warned that AI tools are lowering the technical barriers required to create manipulated sexual content, heightening risks of image-based abuse, cyberbullying and online blackmail.

The National Coordinating Center Against OSAEC-CSAEM noted that reported cases remain significantly lower than actual incidents, suggesting that many instances of abuse go unreported.

“We cannot allow innovation to outpace the safeguards that have protected children for generations. Through the Safer Internet Day Celebration, we are calling for a collective shift — one that strengthens collaboration among government, tech companies, communities, and families. Digital safety is a shared responsibility. It calls for ‘Smart Tech’ that prioritizes child protection and ‘Smart Choices’ from all of us to create safer online spaces for them,” Sanchez-Ogang added.

The forum, titled “Beyond the Feed: Safeguarding Girls, Children, and Young People in AI-Driven Digital Spaces,” moved discussions beyond awareness toward solutions, including improved reporting systems, stronger platform safeguards and community-based response mechanisms.

Youth advocates were also given space to share recommendations, reinforcing calls for sustained, coordinated action in an increasingly AI-driven digital landscape.

“What happens on our screens has real-world consequences for our children. ‘Beyond the Feed’ is not just a theme; it is a call to look past the algorithms and see the human cost of unchecked technology. Consuelo Foundation is proud to stand with Plan International Pilipinas to ensure that digital spaces are built to nurture young people, not exploit them,” said Dr. Mariella Castillo, managing director of Consuelo Foundation.

The event forms part of Plan International Pilipinas’ #StandWithGirls campaign, which pushes for long-term investments in girls’ rights, safety and leadership. The group, founded in 1961, will mark 65 years of operations in the Philippines in June.

Advocates are now calling for stronger cross-sector collaboration to ensure child protection frameworks keep pace with emerging AI technologies.