Growing Up Online: Why Teen Voices Matter in Digital Safety

TikTok strengthens its #ThinkTwice Troop advocacy program through a partnership with Plan International Pilipinas

As parents, we’ve learned to navigate first steps, first words, and first days of school—but today, we’re also guiding our children through their “first scroll,” “first post,” and “first online community.” The digital world is no longer separate from real life; for our teens, it is real life. And just like any environment they grow up in, it deserves to be safe, empowering, and built with their voices in mind.

This is why TikTok’s recent partnership with Plan International Pilipinas feels like a step in the right direction. It’s not just for teens, but for families raising them.

From L-R: Yves Gonzalez, Head of Public Policy for the Philippines at TikTok; Pebbles Sanchez-Ogang, Executive Director of Plan International Pilipinas; Youth Advocates Rinoa, Shantel, Marianne, and Kathleen; Bea Bautista, Head of Communications for the Philippines at TikTok

When Teens Help Shape Their Own Digital Spaces

In celebration of National Women’s Month, four youth advocates—Rinoa, Shantel, Marianne, and Kathleen—were introduced as the first teen members of TikTok’s #ThinkTwice Troop. While initiatives around online safety are not new, what stands out here is the shift: teens are no longer just being protected; they are being HEARD.

These young advocates bring something invaluable to the table: lived experience. They understand the pressures, the trends, the risks, and the opportunities of being online today. By including them in conversations about safety and digital literacy, platforms are recognizing that solutions work best when they are shaped by those who use them most.

Safe Spaces Go Beyond Screen Time Limits

During the youth panel, the teen advocates shared something many parents might find reassuring: they want safe spaces. They feel more confident expressing themselves online when they understand privacy settings, safety tools, and platform policies.

It’s a good reminder that safety isn’t just about restriction—it’s about education.

We often default to limiting screen time or monitoring activity (and yes, those still matter), but building digital resilience means helping our kids understand why safety matters and how to protect themselves. When teens feel informed, they’re more likely to engage positively, explore their interests, and connect meaningfully with others.

And in a world where connection is just a tap away, that kind of confidence is powerful.

From L-R: Plan International Pilipinas Youth Advocates and first teen members of TikTok’s #ThinkTwice Troop Rinoa, Shantel, Marianne, and Kathleen

Raising Girls Who Thrive Online

Another important layer to this conversation is representation—especially for young girls navigating digital spaces.

In a separate panel, leaders from Plan International Pilipinas, Globe Telecom, and the education sector highlighted the importance of having more women involved in tech, policy-making, and content creation. Because when girls see themselves represented, they’re more likely to believe they belong—not just as users, but as leaders and change makers.

The Role We Play as Parents

Partnerships like this are encouraging, but they don’t replace what happens at home. Creating safer digital spaces is a shared responsibility—one that includes platforms, educators, communities, and yes, us as parents.

It starts with conversations. The kind that go beyond “What are you watching?” to “How does this make you feel?” or “Do you know how to protect your account?”

It continues with trust. Because while we can’t control every interaction our teens have online, we can make sure they feel safe coming to us when something doesn’t feel right.

And it grows with guidance. Not fear-based rules, but values-based parenting that helps them think twice, act wisely, and use their voices for good.

Teaching Them to #ThinkTwice—and Then Some

The #ThinkTwice Troop initiative is about mindfulness in the digital space. It’s about pausing before posting, questioning before sharing, and understanding the impact of our actions online.

But beyond that, it’s about empowerment.

Because the goal isn’t to raise kids who are afraid of the internet. It’s to raise young people who can navigate it with confidence, creativity, and compassion.

More stories regarding TikTok

TikTok Highlights New Privacy Tools and Advocacy Efforts to Protect Young Users
TikTok’s Latest Features Allow Parents To Check On Their Children’s Usage
Digital Childhood: TikTok’s Role In Safeguarding The Next Generation