Think Before You Click: How to Stay Safe Online and Outsmart Digital Threats

We live in a world where everything we post online can stick around for a very long time, maybe even forever. That selfie, random thought, or private detail you share might seem harmless today, but it could come back to haunt you. That’s why staying smart and safe online has never been more important, especially for young people.

To help guide the youth in today’s digital landscape, PLDT and Smart Communications have been rolling out their #BeCyberSmart campaign. This initiative focuses on teaching cyber safety in a way that’s simple and practical. It encourages responsible digital behavior, good privacy habits, and awareness of scams and online predators.

During the 2025 AngelNet Summit organized by the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group, Smart’s Digital Communications Senior Manager, Elijah Mendoza, spoke directly to high school students. He gave one golden rule: if you wouldn’t feel okay doing something face-to-face, it might not be wise to post it online.

He also pointed out a major issue that’s easy to overlook, oversharing. Things like your daily routine, what’s inside your room, or even the names of your pets can give away more than you think. These personal details might help online predators or scammers piece together information that should have stayed private.

Another tip? Regularly check your social media privacy settings. Not everyone following you should see everything you post. Mendoza suggested cleaning up your friend list and being selective about who you connect with online.

He compared digital safety to real-world safety. "You wouldn’t give your house key to a stranger," he said. The same mindset should apply when sharing personal info on the internet.

PLDT and Smart aren’t just talking about online safety, they’re taking action too. In the first quarter of 2025, their Cyber Security Operations Group blocked over 338,000 attempts to access harmful child exploitation materials. So far, they’ve blacklisted more than 1.7 million shady websites linked to such content.

This campaign isn’t just a short-term effort. It’s part of a bigger mission that supports global goals, especially the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 16, which aims to end all forms of abuse and violence against children.

Helping kids and teens understand how to protect themselves online is more than just good advice, it’s essential. And with programs like #BeCyberSmart, young people are better equipped to guard their digital lives and think twice before they click "post."

(via PLDT)