PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to strengthen digital literacy and resilience among the region’s youth.

“The world we know is rapidly changing, driven by technology and other advancements in the digital frontier,” Marcos said, emphasizing the vital role of young people in building a people-centered ASEAN community.

The President made the statement during the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with ASEAN Youth, held as part of the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Marcos also pointed out that while digital innovations offer great opportunities, they come with risks—such as online scams, cyberbullying, misinformation, disinformation, and the potential misuse of Artificial Intelligence.

“We must therefore equip our youth with digital resilience that will enable them to navigate online spaces with a critical lens, and to use technology to amplify their voices and contributions to ASEAN’s regional growth,” the President stressed.