Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra and GoDigital Philippines hosted a forum on children’s online safety, digital rights, and fundamental freedoms. From left: Atty. Mark S. Gorriceta, Chairman and Managing Partner of Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra and Chairman of GoDigital Philippines; Undersecretary Renato “Aboy” Paraiso, Executive Director of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC); and Kankan Ramos, Chief Operating Officer of InvictusPH.
Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra, in collaboration with GoDigital Philippines, convened government officials, industry leaders, and legal professionals to discuss proposed legislation on children’s online safety, platform accountability, and digital rights in the Philippines.
The dialogue, titled “Safe Kids, Smart Policies: A Dialogue on Children’s Online Safety and Digital Rights,” examined House Bill No. 11566, or the proposed SAFE Kids Act, and Senate Bill No. 2424, or the proposed SMART KIDS Act.
Discussions focused on how technology platforms and regulatory measures can address online threats to children while protecting privacy, freedom of expression, and access to information. Participants also examined the potential implications of broad age-based restrictions and age and identity verification requirements for users of digital services.
Atty. Mark S. Gorriceta, chairman and managing partner of Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra and chairman of GoDigital Philippines, emphasized the need for online safety policies that are practical to implement, proportionate to identified risks, and respectful of fundamental rights.
In his keynote address, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center Executive Director Undersecretary Renato “Aboy” Paraiso highlighted threats including cyberbullying, online sexual abuse and exploitation, and online grooming. He also underscored the role of technology companies in strengthening platform accountability and implementing effective safeguards.
InvictusPH Chief Operating Officer Kankan Ramos discussed how digital platforms support children’s learning, creativity, self-expression, and social connections. She also called for greater transparency, data protection, and responsible digital marketing practices, particularly as children encounter creator content and personalized recommendations.
Another key issue was age assurance—the process of determining whether users meet age requirements. Participants discussed the need for privacy-conscious verification methods that can help protect minors without unnecessarily exposing personal information or restricting legitimate access to digital services.
The dialogue highlighted the role of evidence-based technology policies in addressing online risks while preserving children’s ability to participate meaningfully in the digital world. The organizers reaffirmed their commitment to discussions on practical and rights-conscious approaches to online child protection.
First photo: Atty. Mark S. Gorriceta, Chairman and Managing Partner of Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra and Chairman of GoDigital Philippines, with Atty. Micaela Kristina V. Galvez, Partner, during a panel discussion on the proposed SAFE Kids Act and SMART KIDS Act.
Second photo: Atty. Micaela Kristina V. Galvez, Partner, and Atty. Luis Teodoro B. Pascua, Managing Associate, of Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra, discussing policy considerations surrounding children’s online safety, age verification, data privacy, and digital rights.
