So To Speak: Who Is Raising Our Children Online?
By Sonia P. Soto
Many people still think Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) is a crime that happens somewhere else.
They imagine shadowy criminals operating from distant places. They assume it involves children they do not know, in communities they have never visited, and circumstances that have nothing to do with their own families.
That assumption is precisely what makes OSAEC so dangerous.
In a recent episode of So To Speak, cybersecurity expert Gen Macalinao of CyberGuardians PH reminded us that OSAEC is no longer a distant problem. It can happen in ordinary homes, through ordinary gadgets, using ordinary internet connections. The internet has opened tremendous opportunities for learning, communication, and economic growth. Unfortunately, it has also created new opportunities for those who seek to exploit children.
One of the most important points raised during our conversation was that OSAEC takes many forms. It may begin with online grooming, where predators gradually gain a child’s trust. It may involve webcam exploitation, where children are pressured, manipulated, or coerced into performing sexual acts in front of a camera. It may also involve the production and distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Materials or CSAM, which are photos and videos documenting abuse and shared online for profit or gratification.
What struck me most was Macalinao’s warning against a common misconception.
Many people still believe that if there is no physical contact, there is no real harm.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
The trauma experienced by a child does not become less painful simply because it occurred through a screen. The emotional scars, the shame, the fear, and the psychological damage are real. A child who has been exploited online remains a victim of abuse, regardless of whether the offender was physically present.
Another important insight from our discussion was that poverty alone cannot explain the problem. While economic hardship may increase vulnerability, it does not automatically lead to exploitation. Macalinao pointed to a deeper concern: the erosion of values and the weakening of the protective relationships that should exist within families and communities.
This is why OSAEC cannot be viewed solely as a police matter.
Law enforcement plays a critical role. The Anti-OSAEC Act has strengthened legal protections, imposed heavier penalties, and required telecommunications companies and digital platforms to take greater responsibility. But laws alone cannot monitor every home, every gadget, or every online interaction.
Parents remain the first line of defense.
Teachers remain the second.
Barangays remain the frontline institutions closest to vulnerable children.
During our discussion, Macalinao identified warning signs that adults should not ignore. A child who suddenly becomes secretive about gadgets, receives expensive items that cannot be explained, withdraws emotionally, or displays unusual online behavior may need attention. These signs do not automatically indicate abuse, but they should prompt adults to ask questions and stay involved.
The conversation eventually turned to digital parenting. Here, Macalinao offered perhaps the most memorable line of the entire interview.
“Sana kapag may tanong ang anak, hindi si Google ang unang tinatanong. Sana tayo.”
In one sentence, she captured the challenge facing parents today.
Technology is not evil. Artificial intelligence is not evil. Social media is not evil. These are tools. They can be used for education, creativity, communication, and innovation. They can also be used for exploitation, manipulation, and abuse.
The difference lies in whether children are navigating the digital world alone.
When gadgets become “digital nannies,” adults surrender influence to algorithms. When communication within families breaks down, children often seek guidance elsewhere. And when trusted adults are absent, predators find opportunities.
That is why the fight against OSAEC requires more than stronger laws and better technology. It requires stronger families, more attentive schools, proactive communities, and responsible technology companies. Most of all, it requires adults who are willing to remain present in the lives of children.
The question is not whether our children will grow up online. They already are.
The question is whether the people who love them will remain close enough to guide them while they do.
Because if we fail to raise our children online, someone else will.
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