PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have become the first members from Philippines to become members of the UK-based Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), to fight against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSEAC).

As an IWF member, PLDT and Smart gain will gain access to a wider database on the harmful links that should be blocked since IWF, has identified at least 9,000 domains linked to online child abuse and counts Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, Google, Telefonica, and Vodafone among its 150 member organisations.

The Philippine Department of Justice has reported a 264% increase  in reported cases of OSAEC especially during the COVID-19 lockdown last year. The reasons cited for this spike include,  poverty within families during the lockdown and children spending more time online.