December 2014 marks the end of the second consecutive implementation period of BeSmartOnline!, a project co-funded by the European Commission. For the past four years BeSmartOnline! has been the national flagship project set up with the aim of proactively raising awareness and educating children and young people, parents and carers, and educators on the safer use of the Internet by children. In addition, after extensive volunteer training, support to those who require assistance related to being safe online is given through the national Helpline 179. The project, in close collaboration with the Cyber Crime Unit of the Malta Police Force, has also embarked on a fight against illegal content, particularly online child sexual abuse, through the establishment of a Hotline which allows the public to anonymously report such content. This reporting mechanism is available at www.childwebalert.gov.mt
The project is coordinated by the Malta Communications Authority (MCA) and implemented through a consortium which also includes the Foundation for Social Welfare Services and the Office of the Commissioner for Children. Dr Jose Herrera said that "one of the major strengths of this initiative is that it brings together a number of key national stakeholders who contribute their areas of specialisation for the well-being of children, both at implementation level and also through various consultation for a".
Among the many awareness raising initiatives, through strong collaboration with the Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education, the Secretariat for Catholic Education and the Independent School Association, BeSmartOnline! has successfully implemented an ambitious school campaign. A total of approximately 9,000 students in all Form 3 and Year 6 in Malta and Gozo participated in an interactive lesson specifically designed to empower children to be responsible for their digital lives and critically evaluate risks that they might encounter online.
Special attention was also given to children that were identified as being more susceptible to online risks. The Office of the Commissioner for Children was instrumental in coordinating a number of tailored sessions for such vulnerable groups and their respective carers. Ms Helen D'Amato, Commissioner for Children expressed her belief that this project was a perfect example of how a child's voice was listened to. This opportunity was given to the children through a Youth Panel and other various consultation meetings held with students in order to gather feedback on the initiatives that were being planned by BeSmartOnline! A number of information notes on the good use of social networking sites and against cyber bullying were printed and given to children and educators. The Office was also selected by the European Commission to coordinate the Pan-EU Youth Panel which takes place annually in Luxembourg.
Mark Spiteri, project coordinator - BeSmartOnline!, explained the pivotal role the supporting structures surrounding children play in ensuring their safety online. Six hundred teachers participated in training seminars addressed by both local and foreign experts. Parents were also given the opportunity to attend sessions on digital parenting which were held at a number of local councils and schools.
The Foundation for Social Welfare Services, particularly Aġenzija Appoġġ, coordinates the Helpline and Hotline. Alfred Grixti, Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, emphasised that in this day and age, the national support line needs to offer assistance on this front, "It is important that the awareness raising initiatives are supported by a Helpline which offers support to victims of such abuse or parents who suspect that their children are at risk." Within this past year, the Helpline has received 145 calls directly related to the subject matter.
Dr Edward Woods, Chairman of MCA, said the Authority is committed to this initiative. "If Malta is to truly become a digitally-enabled country, it is imperative to invest in the empowerment of children so that they can freely explore and exploit the opportunities available both from an education perspective and eventually those entrepreneurial." The Authority has led the application for funds made to the European Commission by the consortium, which will now also include the Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education. Should such funds be granted, BeSmartOnline! will be in a position to continue building on the previous work. Dr Woods said that various educational initiatives have already been planned and talks are underway with the relevant stakeholders.