The whole world is still desperately trying to come to terms with the vast and dangerous challenges that continue to ricochet off the World Wide Web, creating an array of social and personal dilemmas which need to be addressed for this greatest of innovations to finally cement its 21st Century roots. The principle of a free and unlimited access to information via the Internet has to embrace within it, the rights of citizens everywhere to be protected from all forms of digital abuse.

Hardly had the ink of our publicity adverts for last Friday’s conference “Type in LOVE, Type Out Hate” dried when the Prime Minister came out rightly demanding an apology from an Opposition newspaper over its use – or abuse? – on its social media account of a photograph of his children in what was purely and simply a political issue. Those same adverts were, ironically, calling for a public discussion of the need to ensure that the citizens, particularly children, “are protected from any form of abuse, including online bullying and other cybercrimes.”

 As it happened, ours was a straightforward message to society in general, calling for a greater awareness of the inherent and palpable dangers of Internet.

 In my role as S&D spokesperson and shadow rapporteur on the CULT Committee’s stance on ways and means “to combat sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography,” I felt it my duty to help raise the issue at national and European levels. As a mother, grandmother and a politician, I consider it as hugely important for society to demand that politicians of all hues and colours agree to defend and protect our children. The new generations of Maltese and European citizens make up the pillars of our society, the very future of our nations.

Our “Type In LOVE, Type Out Hate” conference helped bring together a variety of stakeholders, among them young people, parents and educators, government policy makers, civil society organizations  and members of the academia to discuss this new- age type of bullying – cyber-bullying, as well as online child sexual abuse. The whole event was purposely balanced in a way to also portray the undisputed benefits of free BUT safe online access to information and sundry services.

The focus on the need of protection for children from online sexual abuse could hardly be avoided. The Internet, with its social networks, multiple means of communication and technological innovations, has literally grown into a hybrid monster that thrives on fake news, fake backgrounds and fake assumptions. 

We have to be there for the innocents, the children daily facing abuses of all kinds not only in the horrific reality of present-day wars, famine, poverty, immigration, but also online where the worst dangers crop up at almost every simple click. Digital dangers lurk in  children's bedrooms and sitting rooms 24/ 7, even in the presence of unsuspecting parents.

The lonely, unaccompanied immigrant child rescued from drowning inour very own midst, the Mediterranean, may not yet be aware of the dangers of cyber bullying, but he or she will grow within his/her new environment hopefully to become a European citizen like each and every one of us.

The same goes for our children and grandchildren who, since birth, may not have known such hardship from belligerent situations and/or extreme natural conditions, but still need protection from abuses on their way to adulthood. To know we are there for them is the psychological fillip and reassurance they need at this special moment in their short lives.

 Offering protection and instigating a no-holds-barred attitude against online abuses is the only way forward. The darker side of technology has already claimed too many victims. The hate mongers and the child abusers will not give up if faced with mere lip service.

 The “Type in LOVE, Type out Hate” conference was just one of many springboards that must be installed all over the EU and beyond to tackle this important issue. We have the support of the serious Media, committed politicians, dedicated educators and law-enforcers, brave volunteers, and the digital professionals who can make it happen. As legislators we must ensure it does!