In a classroom at the Philippine National School for the Blind (PNSB), lessons recently extended beyond traditional subjects to address a growing and often unseen concern: online safety.
In celebration of International Women’s Month, PLDT Inc. and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc., in partnership with Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired (ATRIEV), conducted a three-day cyber safety workshop for visually impaired women and girls. The initiative brought together 25 participants — comprising 17 students and eight teachers—to build awareness and resilience against online threats.
The sessions covered key digital risks, including phishing, impersonation, scams, and online harassment. Participants were also introduced to practical strategies such as managing app permissions, safeguarding personal data, and practicing “cyber hygiene” to strengthen account security.
For many attendees, the training offered both clarity and empowerment. Students shared how the workshop deepened their understanding of online risks and equipped them with actionable steps, from being more mindful of what they share online to utilizing authentication tools for added protection.
The program forms part of PLDT and Smart’s broader IDEATe (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Advocacy through Technology) initiative, which seeks to advance digital inclusion by making technology and digital skills accessible to underserved sectors. According to company representatives, digital inclusion goes beyond connectivity — it requires equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools to safely navigate the digital landscape.
Complementing such grassroots efforts, PLDT and Smart continue to strengthen their cybersecurity infrastructure. In February alone, their Cyber Security Operations Group blocked over 14 billion attempts to access malicious domains, while the PLDT Group prevented more than 387 million cyberattack attempts across its network.
As digital engagement becomes increasingly integral to daily life, initiatives like this workshop underscore the importance of inclusive and accessible digital education—ensuring that no sector is left behind in navigating the online world safely and confidently.
