The internet is a wonderful place for information, entertainment, and social networking for kids and adults alike. But with the proliferation of fake news, explicit content, and cyber bullying, it’s not a very safe space, even for adults.
The web is an even more dangerous place for children in low-income countries like the Philippines where access to low-cost internet and mobile devices is widespread and parental control and adult supervision is lax due to various socio-economic factors.
In fact, the country is considered one of the world’s top hot spots for online child sexual exploitation among 10-14 year-olds.
This is the situation that has prompted Terre de Hommes-Netherlands, an international non-governmental organization advocating and working for the prevention of child exploitation in 17 countries including the Philippines, to develop a revolutionary new digital app that’s totally safe and secure for young users including children.
Called Voice for Change, the app was co-created with victims of child sexual exploitation and those vulnerable to abuse together with children advocates. Research and development took over one year, from March 2020 to June 2021, to ensure that the platform is truly responsive to the needs of children for support and assistance as well as to carry out the advocacy against sexual exploitation.
Voice for Change has features that are similar to those in popular social networking apps. Users can post status updates, connect to other users and engage in discussions, and get access to online resources for information.
The main difference is in the app’s strict security and privacy provisions. Sign up requires approval by the Voice for Change administration and goes through a screening process.
Logging in requires a mobile number and a one-time password sent via SMS. To provide further protection, no personally identifiable information including photos is shared among users.
In VFC, users can find relevant and verified information about different issues relevant to children advocacies. They can also genuinely voice opinions and engage in healthy discussions without fear of toxic perspectives and language.
It is a truly safe space that comes with a directory of organizations and agencies that users can contact to report concerns and even actual cases of child exploitation and abuse.
Here’s a closer look at the Voice for Change features.
- Share your thoughts
Got a high grade in school or achieved a personal goal? Freely share your thoughts in a private and secure way.
- Engage in discussions
Start a conversation with like-minded people about concerns relevant to protection of children and similar issues. Or chime in on other topics that interest you.
- Get Help
Feeling down, need guidance or just want to talk to someone? Reach out to individuals and organizations that can offer professional help.
- Verified information
No one wants to read or share fake news. Get only verified information on relevant topics.
- Report an Incident
Have you or someone you know experienced child abuse and similar issues? Report the incident safely.
- Secure and Private
Sign up requests go through a screening process. Log in with a mobile number and a one-time password will be sent to you by SMS. No personally identifiable information is shared
The Voice for Change app may be downloaded in the Google Play store. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.voiceforchange
iPhone and Google Chrome users can use the web-based app instead.
https://app.wearevoiceforchange.org/
More information about Voice for Change can be viewed at www.wearevoiceforchange.org.
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Lovely May Ann Anicete
September 13, 2021 at 10:10 pmIt was a big help for us esp sa ating mga anak na nakakaexperience ng mga bullying and harrassment magandang advocacy to na apps ang mailulunsad nyo po.
Manilyn dacut
September 13, 2021 at 10:11 pmAng gandang advocacy nito upang maprotektahan tayo sa pag gamit ng social media
Ameliasolomonlacson
September 13, 2021 at 10:12 pmTamang tama ito dahil start na ng klase ng mga bata dapat always safe pa din at secure sila
Meng Sunga
September 13, 2021 at 10:15 pmSuch a great advocacy for child’s protection to prevent child exploitation. This is a kind of campaign/program that we need to support because it has a good intentions to help & protect our childrens to diff. kind of harms. Thanks for sharing this! Such a big help to everyone.
Jessela Calderon
September 13, 2021 at 10:23 pmNice advocacy for our children’s protection ☺️
Mylyn Jumola
September 13, 2021 at 10:35 pmGreat advocacy for child’s protection against exploitation,thank you for sharing this❤
Michelle Vargas
September 13, 2021 at 10:49 pmAng nice naman nito momsh
Meriros Onilecram
September 13, 2021 at 10:58 pmAng ganda ng advocacy nato para sa proteksyon ng mga bata sa exploitation. Sa campaign na to maiiwas natin ung mga anak natin sa kapahamakan. Worth to read to. Thanks for sharing momly Lhyz. 💕
Ma. Cyril Creer
September 13, 2021 at 11:10 pmSa panahon ngayon hindi na talaga safe ang social media. Maraming mga mababasang fake news, mga cyber bullying, and even child pornography. Kaya Sobrang laking tulong po nitong Voice for Change app.
Mharr
September 13, 2021 at 11:26 pmWe really need that in today’s situation Mommy kase its true na marami na talagang mga bata plng naaaddict na sa gadgets so in that idea we can protect our children 😊
Karen Joy Daban
September 14, 2021 at 12:03 amNice app to Mommy..Laking tulong ito para mapangalagaan ang mga kabataan
Dieneth Magdaraog
September 14, 2021 at 1:00 amVery nice advocacy mommy..Thanks for sharing .It’s help a lot..Let’s support this kind of campaign
Shane Reianna Rose Aguilar
September 14, 2021 at 1:41 amNapakaganda ng advocacy naman neto momsh super maalagaan talaga ang mga ka bataan.
Shane Reianna Rose Aguilar
September 14, 2021 at 1:48 amSobrang laking tulong talaga neto momsh Para ma pangalagaan ang Ating mga kabataan.
Shane Reianna Rose Aguilar
September 14, 2021 at 1:49 amSuper nice naman po ng app nato momsh talagang perfect sa mga kabataan
shanereiannarose
September 14, 2021 at 1:53 amSupergandang app nato momsh talagang dito mo matutunan na mapangalagaan ang mga kabataan♥️
shanereiannarose
September 14, 2021 at 1:57 amGaling naman neto momsh super safe talaga gamiten ng mga bata.
Villabeth Deocampo
September 14, 2021 at 5:32 amTotoo sa dito sa atin masyadong expose ang mga bata sa mga bad sides na dulot ng internet kaya need talaga natin sila protektahan.Nice campaign mommy.
Yanpaladquisol
September 14, 2021 at 7:23 amMadami din talagang effect sa atin ang internet may positive pero Meron din negative.tulad na lang nitong child exploitation na madami na nabiktima tulad dito sa Pilipinas Kaya malaking tulong itong na develop na apps para matigil ang child exploitation. 💕👏
Melisa Malihan Gacosta
September 14, 2021 at 8:15 amVery nice po… Godbless po maam lhyzie❤️❤️❤️❤️
Bonz Kee
September 14, 2021 at 9:17 amThis is a nice advocacy. Need talaga ng proper guidance.
This advocacy will be a great help ❤️
Stop child exploitation
jenniferbalucating
September 14, 2021 at 10:10 amMagandang advocacy eto para sa ating mga anak at the same time mga katulad nating adult para maprotektahan natin ang ating mga anak.lalo na ngayon ang daming nagkalat sa soc.media na masasama ndi.naman nakakatulong
Agnes
September 14, 2021 at 2:48 pmIsa din ito sa problema natin na dapat bigyan pansin ng gobyerno para ma stop na ang mga pang aabuso at pambubully online. Kailangan natin ng security para Di Tayo mapahamak maging ang ating mga anak.
Shiena Mae
September 14, 2021 at 3:40 pmSuper ganda ng advocacy ❤️❤️
Jcka Ranum
September 14, 2021 at 11:12 pmGreat news .. napaka gandang advocacy nito para SA MGA Bata .. safe at secured sila … Laking tulong nito para SA kanila ..thanks for Sharing this Mommy …
Joevil
September 16, 2021 at 1:37 amIt’s a big help for everyone esp. to the kids to keep them safe and secure. VERY GREAT Advocacy! Thankyou for sharing this momsh❤
Erica Carbo
September 16, 2021 at 8:17 pmNapaka laking tulong nito mommy lalo na po sa mga bata ngayon .. dahil ang dami ng bata ang mahilig sa social media ..
Rosebel S. De Vera
September 17, 2021 at 4:41 pmThis is a Good advocacy for our children, ang laking tulong po neto lalo na ngaun ang mga kabataan tutok sa social media, eto ang kailangan natin para mas ma protectahan sila against bullying, cyber sex.. Thanks ma for sharing 🤗❤️
Mitra Lyka
September 23, 2021 at 6:58 pmNapakaganda po ng app na ito dahil nakakatulong po ito sa mga bata.