At the Philippine National School for the Blind (PNSB), a recent lesson moved beyond traditional classroom subjects to focus on something increasingly essential: staying safe online.

In March, PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), 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 formed part of their efforts in celebration of International Women’s Month.

The workshop brought together 25 participants—17 students and 8 teachers—and covered a range of online risks, including phishing, impersonation, scams, and digital harassment. Sessions also introduced practical strategies such as managing privacy settings, controlling app permissions, and practicing “cyber hygiene,” or the everyday habits that help protect online accounts.

For many participants, the lessons were both accessible and immediately relevant.

“Madali po siyang maintindihan,” shared Grade 12 student Rea Mae Baclle. “Natuto po ako kung paano i-secure ng maayos ang account ko para hindi ito mapasok ng hackers.”

Baclle said she plans to apply what she learned by being more mindful of what she shares online and by strengthening her account security through authentication tools.

Grade 9 student Yhanna Corde echoed the importance of the training, noting how it reflects real-life experiences.

“Importante po na maging safe tayo kahit online,” she said. “Hindi lang sa totoong buhay nangyayari ang panganib. Pwede rin po tayong ma-scam o ma-harass sa internet.”

Corde, who has experienced online harassment, said the workshop helped her better understand how to respond. “Hindi ko na po siya i-ignore. Ire-report ko na po at ipapaalam sa mga nakatatanda,” she added.

The initiative is part of PLDT and Smart’s broader push for digital inclusion through their IDEATe (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Advocacy through Technology) program. The effort aims to make technology and digital skills more accessible, particularly for underserved communities.

“Digital inclusion goes beyond connectivity—it means ensuring that every Filipino, especially those in vulnerable sectors, has the knowledge and tools to stay safe online,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, Assistant Vice President and Head of Public Engagement at PLDT and Smart. “Through initiatives like this, we aim to equip visually impaired women and girls with practical skills to navigate the digital space securely and with confidence.”

Beyond community programs, PLDT and Smart continue to strengthen their cybersecurity infrastructure. In February alone, their Cyber Security Operations Group blocked more than 14 billion attempts to access malicious domains, while the PLDT Group prevented over 387 million cyberattack attempts across its network.

As more aspects of daily life move online, the risks can become harder to detect—especially for vulnerable sectors. Through initiatives like this workshop, PLDT and Smart aim to bridge that gap, ensuring that access to the digital world is matched with the knowledge to navigate it safely.