Youth advocates strengthen #ThinkTwice Troop program, serving as its newest and first teen members
VIA GRAPHIC PLUS — TikTok, the leading destination for short-form mobile video, continues to strengthen its #ThinkTwice Troop advocacy program through a partnership with Plan International Pilipinas, a non-government development and humanitarian organization specializing in girls’ and children’s rights, reinforcing its commitment to online teen safety.
In an event to mark National Women’s Month, Rinoa, Shantel, Marianne, and Kathleen, Youth Advocates from various Plan International Pilipinas projects, were announced as the first teen members of the #ThinkTwice Troop, contributing youth perspectives to TikTok’s ongoing efforts to promote digital literacy, safety, and positive online engagement among Filipino teens, especially young girls.
“Safety has always been at the core of everything we do at TikTok,” said Yves Gonzalez, Head of Public Policy for the Philippines at TikTok. “Expanding the #ThinkTwice Troop through our partnership with Plan International Pilipinas allows us to directly engage with more young people, understand their aspirations and challenges, and empower them to navigate digital spaces safely with confidence and creativity.”
Safe Spaces for Creativity, Learning and Connection
During the Youth Panel, Rinoa, Shantel, and Kathleen shared their perspectives on navigating the digital world, citing they feel comfortable to share content and participate in online communities when educated on safety tools and privacy features.
They also cited how platforms like TikTok are positive spaces, where they can express themselves, connect with others, and discover new interests, a testament to how the digital world has become a meaningful part of teens’ everyday lives.
Finally, advocates underscored the importance of involving teens and young people in shaping safer online spaces and continued support from platforms, educators, and communities through digital literacy programs, reflecting the important role of young people not only as beneficiaries but as active partners in shaping safer and more inclusive digital environments.
“Teen-friendly and easy-to-understand policies, user-friendly tools, insights from the youth–these are just some of the aspects that are vital for platforms to understand and apply in creating safer environments for us,” said Marianne.
Empowering Teen Girls and Young People
In a separate panel, Pebbles Sanchez-Ogang, Executive Director of Plan International Pilipinas, Irish Almeida, Chief Privacy Officer of Globe Telecom, and licensed professional teacher and TikTok creator Lyqa Maravilla (@lyqamaravilla), highlighted the importance of women representation in tech leadership, policy development, and content creation, ensuring society builds online spaces where women and girls can thrive.
“We believe that young people, especially girls, face distinct vulnerabilities in the digital world, and must be at the heart of conversations that determine how online spaces are designed and governed. This collaboration not only amplifies their voices but also equips them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate the online world safely and responsibly, empowering them to become proactive and informed digital citizens,” said Pebbles Sanchez-Ogang, Executive Director of Plan International Pilipinas.
Participants also engaged in a content creation session with motivational speaker and TikTok creator Gia Abao (@gianna.abao), learning how to make the most of the platform to promote their advocacies.
TikTok and Plan International Pilipinas’ collaboration supports the platform’s broader efforts to foster dialogue with key stakeholders to inform stronger safety frameworks in protecting teens online. Through the #ThinkTwice Troop and the continuous development of safety tools and programs, TikTok not only ensures age-appropriate and positive online experiences but also promotes collaboration among platforms, government, educators, and communities to strengthen protection systems and support mechanisms for young people online.
