DICT proposes ban on social media use for classroom assignments

Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Information Technology Officer Gen Macalinao explains why the agency is eyeing to ban schools’s use of social media for class projects. PHOTO by Katrina Hallare/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Thursday said it will issue a memorandum circular asking schools to refrain from using social media for class projects and homework.

“So one of the salient points of the circular that we are working on, because one of the DICT’s mandate is to formulate policies and initiatives on cybersecurity in coordination with the DepEd (Department of Education) and Ched (Commission on Higher Education), is for academic institutions to cease using social media,” Information Technology Officer Gen Macalinao said in a product launch in Makati City.

Macalinao said the move stemmed from concerns aired parents who complained that some teachers use social media to hand out assignments and projects.

“I experienced this through my 16-year-old [son],” Macalinao shared. “If I tell him to stop on social media, he’ll show me the chat of the teacher and show me that the teacher actually created a group and post the assignments there.”

“If they choose to disseminate information online, there should be a platform. It can also be sent via email,” Macalinao explained in Filipino.

The DICT is set to finalize the memorandum circular within the year, with the first round of consultations to happen at the DICT main office in Quezon City. (Editor: Eden Estopace)