#MakeITSafePH : Self-Managing Online Behavior- DAVAO LIFE

In this digital age, most of us spend most of our day online, wherever we may be. We go online as much as we can and given a faster internet connection, we share online more of our thoughts, daily activities, events and milestones plus so many other stuff we could think of. Many people share details of their lives publicly for the whole world to know and witness.

Now it is important that you feel safe about what you do online. Think of how important it is to manage your own behavior online. Perhaps for some of us may not care as much. Self-managing online behavior is important and something we should not take for granted. Otherwise, we would shoulder the burden of the consequences of such when things aren’t favorable for us.

We need to be aware of the online dangers of having our lives and important information shared online. The possibilities are there of our online accounts being hacked; of becoming a victim of identity theft; of cyber-bullying – being bullied or harassed online; being scammed online by people we give our trust to; becoming a victim of phishing of important personal data and confidential information; and others.

Know how to avoid and prevent being a victim of these online dangers.

Think before doing something online. Do you think before you click or post anything online? Most of us might not be able to answer this directly with a – YES, I do! We become susceptible to identity theft because we somehow offer information knowingly or unknowingly even simply with our shared posts on social media. Important details may be gotten from what we may innocently share online. There are viruses that can be installed that will allow hackers to steal your private information and other important data. While some people get stalked online when they share public things about themselves, you may not realize that you do the same things that make you prone as well to such. So make sure you share only with people you know and trust. If you share to the public, you take a risk of possible online threats. So managing your online behavior should be in your mind at all times. Make sure you think well before sharing especially important details about your life and family to the public.

As they say, THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK.

When a heated debate comes up about an interesting topic posted online like on social media, do you stop yourself from commenting to share or express your different opinion? Do you ask yourself if it is worth responding or reacting to, especially when you have a different or opposing opinion with other people? Best not to put up a word war online to prove you are right. Instead learn to hold on to your thoughts especially when emotions are running high. Like about political and controversial topics or issues concerning the society these days, it is important for you as one of the millions of netizens, to speak out more of what good you can contribute, and to actually do what ever that good is, rather than saying things about people on the other side.

Our thoughts expressed online may not be taken well by others. We may just want to make light out of something or to speak out the truth about something we stand for, but the truth often hurts. Take time to think before you click and post. May one speak kindly the truth online. Or simply avoid posting something that may provoke something else. There is no need to hurt to prove a point online and showing people you know better.

I think many of us had our share of experiences when we were not able to hold back, posted our thoughts and opinions online. We are all humans after all, we make mistakes. But that does not end there, we can make it right, and we can make it safe for everyone who goes online.

Again, choose to be kind by not responding so as not to provoke a more heated discussion just to win an argument. There may be so much hate out there already, you do not want to be part of that. Be part of those who choose to make it a wonderful digital nation. Ask yourself, what good can I contribute to this country and to this world instead. Spread love, peace and harmony online and equally important offline.

On that note, each one of us should have the courage to act and behave responsibly.

Let’s be part of the #MakeITsafePH campaign!

Globe Telecom continues its #makeITsafePH campaign for their valued consumers and clients as part of Globe efforts to promote online vigilance among the public and to protect them from being victims of online hacking, identity theft and other cyber crimes.

“We are working towards the goal of transforming the Philippines into a digital nation but at the same time, we want to instill awareness on the dangers that people could fall vulnerable to in this digital age. This cannot happen overnight. We need to constantly remind and educate them if we are to make a difference,” said Albert de Larrazabal, Globe Chief Commercial Officer.

The #makeITsafePH campaign for consumers will particularly reach out to young school children and their families as well as millennials who are most susceptible to the negative aspects of the internet.

Globe Telecom has also adopted the Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP) which needs support, not only from the parents but particularly from schools and teachers who become like second parents of our students in school. DTP teaches students how to understand the impact of their online behavior and how to be safe and responsible for their online activities. Students undergo three workshops where they can learn how to observe proper online behavior; how to be aware of technology’s impact on their social activities particularly online; and to develop skills on how to use technology in a good way to help in their learning, education and in achieving their dreams and purpose in life.

#makeITsafePH campaign background:

Hootsuite, a US-based social media management platform, has released its “Digital in 2018” report of social media and digital trends around the world. The report revealed that the Philippines now has 67 million Internet users, with all of them active on social media. This widespread use of the internet gives rise to the emergence of internet-related crimes such as rape, theft, bullying and piracy which made the public, especially the youth, very vulnerable.

Because of this, Globe Telecom, being a purveyor of digital lifestyle, came out with the #makeITsafePH cybersecurity and cyberwellness campaign to educate consumers about online threats and what they can do to avoid becoming a victim. The campaign also teaches the public proper online etiquette so that they would not become a source of such deplorable behavior.