Metro Manila, February 16, 2026 – Girl and child rights organizations Plan International Pilipinas and Consuelo Foundation warned of escalating artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled online abuse targeting children, as they convene lawmakers, tech companies, youth leaders, and civil society groups at a Safer Internet Day Celebration on February 24, 2026.
The groups flagged the rapid proliferation of AI tools capable of generating hyper-realistic images, videos, and voice recordings, which are increasingly being weaponized to exploit, harass, and extort children online. These include AI-generated sexual images, “deepfake” content, impersonation scams, and grooming tactics that are more difficult for parents and authorities to detect.
“We are facing a reality where algorithms move faster than our laws, leaving children vulnerable to abuse before we even know the risks exist,” said Pebbles Sanchez-Ogang, Executive Director of Plan International Pilipinas.
Studies show that one in two children has experienced some form of online violence, and seven out of ten girls report experiencing online abuse, with perpetrators misusing digital platforms to produce, distribute, and profit from abusive content. With AI tools now lowering the technical barriers to creating manipulated sexual images and videos, advocates warn that children—particularly girls—face heightened risks of image-based abuse, cyberbullying, impersonation, and online blackmail.
The National Coordinating Center Against OSAEC-CSAEM said the number of reported incidents remains significantly lower than what is happening on the ground, suggesting that many cases of online abuse still go unreported.
“We cannot allow innovation to outpace the safeguards that have protected children for generations. Through the Safer Internet Day Celebration, we are calling for a collective shift—one that strengthens collaboration among government, tech companies, communities, and families. Digital safety is a shared responsibility. It calls for ‘Smart Tech’ that prioritizes child protection and ‘Smart Choices’ from all of us to create safer online spaces for them,” Sanchez-Ogang added.
The Safer Internet Day Celebration, titled “Beyond the Feed: Safeguarding Girls, Children, and Young People in AI-Driven Digital Spaces,” will move the conversation beyond awareness toward practical solutions. Sessions will examine how emerging technologies can be harnessed to strengthen child protection by improving reporting systems, enhancing built-in safeguards, and equipping families and communities with the tools to respond to online risks.
The event will also spotlight the voices of young people as active partners in shaping safer digital spaces. Girl leaders and youth advocates will share their insights and recommendations, underscoring the need for sustained, coordinated action to uphold children’s rights in an AI-driven online environment.
The celebration forms part of Plan International Pilipinas’ #StandWithGirls campaign, a national movement dedicated to advancing long-term investment in girls’ rights, safety, and leadership. Through this platform, the organization reinforces the message that protecting children online is inseparable from advancing gender equality and preventing violence against girls.
Founded in 1961, Plan International Pilipinas will mark 65 years of working with children and girls across every stage of their lives in the Philippines in June. The celebration will also highlight ongoing initiatives such as SAFE Online, SUFASEC, and Connect2Protect — projects dedicated to strengthening online safety.
“As Safer Internet Day draws attention to the risks children face online, Plan International Pilipinas is urging all stakeholders to take meaningful, long-term action that prioritizes children’s safety in digital spaces. Standing with girls means standing firmly against online abuse, through policy, through practice, and in every corner of the internet where children learn, play, and connect,” Sanchez-Ogang added.
Echoing this call for protection, Dr. Mariella Castillo, the Managing Director of Consuelo Foundation, stated, “What happens on our screens has real-world consequences for our children. ‘Beyond the Feed’ is not just a theme; it is a call to look past the algorithms and see the human cost of unchecked technology. Consuelo Foundation is proud to stand with Plan International Pilipinas to ensure that digital spaces are built to nurture young people, not exploit them.”
To sustain these collective efforts, the organizations are opening doors for collaboration. Interested partners may reach out via partnerships.ph@plan-international.org. Plan International Pilipinas will also be launching a donation portal by the last week of February.
