The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) is urging parents and teachers to closely monitor the content children are consuming, not only on TV and films but also online.

Speaking during a seminar on responsible viewing in Dagupan City on Saturday, MTRCB Chairperson Diorella “Lala” Sotto-Antonio noted that online content are not under the agency’s jurisdiction.

“Our jurisdiction only is limited to motion pictures, movies in cinemas and television programs,” she said. “We are worried with the emergence of online content available in gadgets accessible to the young.”

To get this message across, the MTRCB is conducting the “Responsableng Panunuod” (responsible viewing) and “Responsableng Paggabay” (responsible guidance) seminars in schools and communities all over the country.

“We go beyond reviewing the materials that are submitted to us,” Sotto-Antonio said.

Under “Responsableng Panunuod,” the MTRCB teaches parents, teachers and guardians about available in-app technology regulations such as turning on child-friendly setup for some online streaming services.

“These are the security measures, reporting mechanisms, and safeguards, which parents do not know that there are existing parental control features in online streaming app,” Sotto-Antonio said.

“So since these (online shows) are not within our jurisdiction, this is our way to help. Through this, parents are involved in monitoring their child’s viewing habits.”

The information, Sotto-Antonio also said, will empower the teachers to cascade the information to their students.

On the other hand, “Responsableng Paggabay” seminars have content creators and media practitioners as audience.

“Here we develop good partnership with them and coordination. That is our approach to content creators, producers, directors. It’s more of a partnership,” Sotto-Antonio said.

She said local government units may request these seminars to the MTRCB via email address or website.

Saturday’s seminar, organized by the MTRCB in partnership with JCI Dagupan Bangus, aims to raise awareness on media literacy and guide families in making safer and more informed viewing choices. (PNA)