Teaching cybersecurity to Filipino youth as an urgent need

At the recently concluded CERTCON 2024, led by the Cybersecurity Bureau of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Undersecretary Jeffrey Ian C. Dy in his opening remarks reiterated the need to collaborate and build connections on cybersecurity issues and how Filipinos can respond to this. them.

Internet access happens every day at home, work, and school, and securing this access is a must, especially for young Filipinos.

Teaching cybersecurity in schools, starting in primary school, is an urgent need in the Philippines. Because digital technology is intertwined with everyday life, there is a great potential for cyber threats. For a generation growing up with access to smartphones, tablets and the internet, understanding how to navigate online safely is as important as learning to read or write. By incorporating cybersecurity education early into the curriculum, the Philippines can equip its youth with crucial skills to protect themselves and contribute to a more secure, digitally literate society.

The increase in internet access and social media use among Filipino youth underlines the need for cybersecurity education. According to a 2022 report by We Are Social, 75 percent of the Philippine population uses the internet, with the average user spending nearly 11 hours a day online.

For children, much of this time is spent on social media, online gaming and streaming content. The 2021 UNICEF report on children’s online behavior in the Philippines found that more than half of Filipinos aged 9 to 17 have had negative online experiences, including cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content and online scams.

This exposure, without adequate education about safe online practices, leaves them vulnerable to cyber threats that can seriously impact their mental, emotional and physical well-being.

The lack of basic cybersecurity awareness among young people often leads to risky online behavior. Research shows that young internet users regularly share personal information online, including their home address, school location and family details, sometimes even with strangers.

Without understanding the implications, young people also tend to download apps and software without checking their security settings or reading the privacy policies. This is a disturbing trend because unmonitored online activity opens doors for cybercriminals to misuse personal data, commit identity theft, or worse, groom minors for exploitation.

Unfortunately, according to a 2022 report by the International Justice Mission, the Philippines is among the top 10 countries worldwide in the risk of child exploitation online. By teaching children basic cybersecurity skills early, the country can take important steps to reduce these risks and promote responsible internet use.

While it can be argued that cybersecurity is too complex a topic for young children, the principles of online safety are actually accessible to all age groups. Just as young children learn road safety rules, they can understand the importance of protecting personal information from strangers online, setting strong passwords and identifying suspicious links.

Australia, Canada and the United States have introduced cyber security awareness programs tailored to different age levels, focusing on internet safety, privacy awareness and understanding digital footprints. These programs emphasize that cybersecurity is not just about advanced technical knowledge, but rather about building a foundation for safe online behavior.

In the Philippines, introducing these concepts in primary school could change the way the younger generation approaches technology. The need for cybersecurity education also extends beyond personal safety; it is critical to national security and economic resilience.

Cybercrime

Cybercrime costs the global economy billions of dollars every year, and the Philippines is not exempt. A 2023 report from the Philippine National Police (PNP) shows that the country has seen a 200 percent increase in the number of reported cybercrime cases over the past five years.

These cybercrimes range from online fraud and hacking to data breaches that affect companies, government agencies and individuals. With much of daily life and commerce taking place online, the demand for cybersecurity professionals is growing. However, the Philippines currently does not have sufficient manpower to deal with the increasing threats.

By introducing cybersecurity concepts to students at a young age, the country can cultivate a generation that not only understands cyber risks but is also prepared to enter the cybersecurity field as future professionals, filling a critical gap in the workforce.

A digital-first approach to education would also benefit students’ career prospects. The World Economic Forum predicts that cybersecurity will be one of the most in-demand skills in the coming decades.

The Philippines, with its large, young population and increasing focus on digital transformation, is well positioned to prepare students for these careers. An early start with cybersecurity education would give Filipino students a competitive advantage in the global job market, especially in an industry that is not only lucrative but essential to the functioning of modern society.

However, implementing a cybersecurity curriculum in Philippine primary schools requires resources and teacher training. Most schools do not yet have the infrastructure or teaching staff with cybersecurity knowledge.

Collaboration between the government and technology companies and educational institutions can meet this need. Private sector partnerships, in which cybersecurity experts can contribute to curriculum design and implementation, have proven successful in other countries.

These initiatives could be a model for the Philippines to follow.

Kay Calpo Lugtu is the Chief Operating Officer of Hungry Workhorse, a digital and culture transformation company. Her advocacy includes food innovation, nation building and sustainability. She can be reached via email: (email protected)