Gadget use in schools: What you need to know
By Renelle L. Escuadro
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Schools Division of Dinagat Islands reminds the public, especially parents or guardians, learners, teachers, and stakeholders, of the importance of responsible gadget use and safe digital practices in schools.
This reminder is pursuant to Division Memorandum No. 485, series of 2026, and Office Memorandum, Office of the Undersecretary for Operations 2026-11-3725 on the Implementation of Protocols on Gadget Use and Safeguarding Standards for Content Creation in All Schools and Community Learning Centers.
The following reminders were highlighted:
* ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ, ๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ. The use of cellphones and other portable electronic devices during instructional periods is prohibited, subject to authorized exceptions under applicable DepEd policies such as academic purposes and emergency situations.
Academic purposes include accessing authorized educational platforms, digital learning resources, or approved online collaborative activities, while emergency situations refer to disasters, medical emergencies, or immediate safety concerns.#
* ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ฒ. School-based photography, videography, interviews, livestreaming, and social media posts involving learners must observe child protection, data privacy, consent, and safeguarding requirements.
This reminder requires securing prior consent by consulting learners and their parents or legal guardians regarding participation and possible exposure on social media. It also requires public schools to obtain the Schools Division Office’s required authorization for partnership activities, especially those involving content creation.
Also, protect and do not disclose personal information such as identifying details, contact information, school records, or other private information.
* ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐๐๐ญ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐๐ซ. Respect learners’ rights, dignity, privacy, safety, and best interests in every form of digital content.
According to the Schools Division of Dinagat Islands, the issuances strictly prohibit content that exposes learners to abuse or exploitation, discriminatory or humiliating portrayals, cyberbullying and harassment, unauthorized disclosure of personal information, and creation of content that is degrading, exploitative, and harmful.
* ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฒ๐จ๐ง๐’๐ฌ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ. School heads, teachers, publication advisers, content creators, learners, and stakeholders all have a role in ensuring responsible digital practices.
School heads and community learning center managers are instructed to properly disseminate the memorandums to all personnel, learners, and stakeholders. They are also directed to review and strengthen school-level gadget use procedures; orient publication advisers and personnel involved in documentation and digital content production; coordinate with the School Child Protection Committee and designated personnel when concerns arise; and report or refer suspected violations through established channels.
For Schools Division Superintendent Florence E. Almaden, the responsible use of technology for a safe and productive learning environment is a shared responsibility.
“Let us make technology an ally in learning, not a compromise to learner safety and protection,” she said.
In time with the celebration of the National Children’s Month this November, Almaden added, “This National Children’s Month, let us go beyond celebrating children. Let us make learners’ protection a daily commitment.” (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands with a report from DepEd Dinagat Islands)
