Globe backs DepEd’s responsible gadget use policy in schools

Globe has expressed support for the Department of Education’s (DepEd) new policy on the responsible use of gadgets in schools, saying it aligns with the company’s advocacy for safer digital spaces while ensuring students continue to benefit from technology for learning.

Why it matters: As digital tools and artificial intelligence become more common in classrooms, balancing student safety with access to technology has become a growing concern. Globe says responsible device use, backed by digital literacy and online safety measures, can help prepare Filipino students for the future.

The details: DepEd Order No. 006, s. 2026, also known as the Guidelines on Ensuring Safe and Motivating Learning Environment (ESMLE), regulates the use of gadgets during instructional hours while allowing their use for educational purposes and emergencies.

Globe said the policy reflects the principle that technology, when used responsibly and supported by appropriate safeguards, remains an important tool for education and development.

The company advocates a balanced approach that combines stronger online platform protections, parental guidance, and digital literacy to create a safer digital environment for children and students.

According to Globe, online platforms should continue strengthening age-appropriate safety features, parental controls, privacy protections, and content moderation to complement responsible parenting and digital education.

Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, said young Filipinos should have access to technology while learning how to use it responsibly.

“We aim to give the youth and students access to technology, alongside the need to be responsible online. In the age of AI and digital learning, connectivity opens doors to education, innovation, and equal opportunities,” she said.

The bigger picture: Globe noted that protecting children online requires collaboration among technology companies, parents, educators, government agencies, and communities. The company said this shared responsibility is also reflected in recommendations from international organizations that advocate safer digital experiences for children.

The company cited guidance from the United Nations on children’s rights in the digital environment, which encourages protecting children online while ensuring they continue to benefit from education, information, and opportunities made possible through technology.

Globe also pointed to recommendations from UNICEF and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which support stronger platform safeguards, digital literacy, and active parental involvement in promoting online safety. Locally, the Child Rights Network has likewise pushed for safer online environments for children.

For Filipinos: Globe highlighted several initiatives that support responsible digital citizenship, including its Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP), which the company said has reached more than 2 million Filipino students since its launch in 2016. The program focuses on cyber wellness, responsible online behavior, and digital citizenship.

The company also continues to promote online safety through its #MakeITSafePH campaign and Online Safety Glossary, which aim to help Filipinos identify online threats, develop safer digital habits, and navigate the internet more confidently.

Globe added that it continues working with government agencies and industry partners to help combat online sexual abuse or exploitation of children (OSAEC) and child sexual abuse and exploitation material (CSAEM).

What’s next: Globe said it will continue supporting initiatives that combine digital literacy, responsible gadget use, stronger platform safeguards, and collaboration across sectors to help create safer digital spaces for Filipino children.

The Bottom Line: Globe believes DepEd’s new guidelines strike a balance between protecting students and allowing them to benefit from digital technology, reinforcing the idea that responsible connectivity remains an important part of modern education.