Communication is the key to protect our children online
Martin Debattista
Any child may be subject to online abuse, and this does not depend on the child's behaviour. All categories of online crime are on the increase and child abuse is no exception. However, a good child-parent relationship and more awareness from parents of the potential risks of child internet abuse will diminish these risks.
This is the situation of online child abuse in Malta right now, according to Aġenzija Appoġġ and the Malta Police Corps, contacted by i-Tech as countries across the European Union celebrated Safer Internet Day 2009 on February 10.
"In Malta we tend to feel safer because it is a small country and, traditionally, there was mostly the care and protection of the close family unit. However, internet has no boundaries or distances, so being from a small country makes less difference now. Besides, the family structure in Malta is changing and children are being exposed more often to new experiences, some of them, unfortunately, being harmful. Therefore, we can say that it is comparable to other countries," according to Rosalie Vella Piscopo, social marketing and communications team leader at Aġenzija Appoġġ, the national social welfare agency for children and families in need.
Superintendent Paul Caruana, head of the cyber crime unit of the Malta Police Corps, told i-Tech that all categories of online crime are on the increase.
"This is an expected phenomenon considering the increasing number of internet users, improved technologies, and faster and reliable communication infrastructure. The internet provides a new medium and hence a new opportunity to commit crime and is it is expected that an increase in such crimes is registered. Child abuse is no exception."
However, statistics in relation to online child abuse are difficult to manage. This is because some incidents are incorporated in statistics pertaining to the traditional child abuse reports that are received and investigated by the police.
Child abuse over the internet can range from child pornography to inappropriate and malicious approaches by adults towards minors over the internet, also known as grooming (incitement of children for sexual purposes). An offender may loiter in internet chat rooms, posing as another person - either as another minor or young adult, gathering information, befriending children and young people. It is common for offenders to move the conversation with a child to a private chat room, and then possibly arrange a real-life meeting.
In 2006 Aġenzija Appoġġ initiated a project aimed to generate awareness about internet safety and providing a service to those who came across child abuse over the internet. Local stakeholders involved in the project also included the Ministry for Investment, Industry and Information Technology, the cyber crime unit of the Malta Police Force, the Education Department, FES and Parents' Associations, Church schools, the Commissioner for Children, the Malta Chamber of Commerce, and local internet service providers (ISPs).
The executive from Aġenzija Appoġġ stressed over and over again the benefits of internet but there are dangers out there and the worst thing parents can do is remain ignorant of the potential dangers.
"Internet gives opportunities for various types of activities - mostly healthy ones, but also, unfortunately, opportunities of fraud and deceit. It is an important source of knowledge but, without the proper parental guidance, it might become harmful to the unsuspecting child or can arouse curiosity that can, unfortunately, lead to risky situations.
"The ICT world is always evolving and education and awareness programmes need to focus on emerging trends. There should also be integrated approach including joint collaboration by parents and educators alike. Parents have a major role in the formation and protection of their children. A healthy relationship is based on understanding and the more interest parents take in what their children are doing, the stronger this relationship can be."
The agency has a service aimed at protecting and supporting children who are or have experienced any form of abuse, irrespective whether the abuse was of a direct (physical contact) or indirect (exposure or grooming).
Maltese legislation makes it clear that the possession, and not just the production or dissemination, of indecent child material is a crime.
"This is important as we have to keep in mind that the downloading of such material is creating a market," stressed Superintendent Caruana. "A market that someone somewhere will supply and therefore another child will be abused. All children are special hence we need to eliminate any such activity."
He reassured that, though his unit is a small team, the police force has the necessary tools to tackle online child abuse.
The sharing of information and cooperation from the Maltese public and local organisations and law enforcement on an international platform are key factors in the work of the unit.
He warns against complacency.
"Internet is a dynamic environment that is continuously changing thus presenting new challenges. The police must be ready to adopt new methods, policies and tools. This is a continuous process."
Both Aġenzija Appoġġ and the Maltese police agree that internet provides many benefits but like other things in life it has its own negative aspects. These, however, can be tackled effectively.
"The key to avoiding victimisation is communication," insists Superintendent Caruana. "Parents must develop communication channels that allow them to spot any potential risks. Technology is fun and parents must not refrain from participating and, why not, learn from their children."
Ms Vella Piscopo invited us not to forget how vulnerable children are.
"It is very important to see and appreciate the benefits of the internet. However, people need to be made aware that there exist many dangers too. Perhaps, for the person in the street, these problems are too complicated to understand, or are not realistic. However, one must always be cautious and alert, especially when there are minors involved due to their vulnerability."
The cyber crime unit can be contacted on e-mail computer.crime@gov.mt or on phone number 2294 2231/2. The website of Aġenzija Appoġġ is http://www.appogg.gov.mt/.
This is the second in a mini-series of articles on internet safety on the occasion of the annual European Safer Internet Day, promoted by the EU and celebrated on February 10.
This is the situation of online child abuse in Malta right now, according to Aġenzija Appoġġ and the Malta Police Corps, contacted by i-Tech as countries across the European Union celebrated Safer Internet Day 2009 on February 10.
"In Malta we tend to feel safer because it is a small country and, traditionally, there was mostly the care and protection of the close family unit. However, internet has no boundaries or distances, so being from a small country makes less difference now. Besides, the family structure in Malta is changing and children are being exposed more often to new experiences, some of them, unfortunately, being harmful. Therefore, we can say that it is comparable to other countries," according to Rosalie Vella Piscopo, social marketing and communications team leader at Aġenzija Appoġġ, the national social welfare agency for children and families in need.
Superintendent Paul Caruana, head of the cyber crime unit of the Malta Police Corps, told i-Tech that all categories of online crime are on the increase.
"This is an expected phenomenon considering the increasing number of internet users, improved technologies, and faster and reliable communication infrastructure. The internet provides a new medium and hence a new opportunity to commit crime and is it is expected that an increase in such crimes is registered. Child abuse is no exception."
However, statistics in relation to online child abuse are difficult to manage. This is because some incidents are incorporated in statistics pertaining to the traditional child abuse reports that are received and investigated by the police.
Child abuse over the internet can range from child pornography to inappropriate and malicious approaches by adults towards minors over the internet, also known as grooming (incitement of children for sexual purposes). An offender may loiter in internet chat rooms, posing as another person - either as another minor or young adult, gathering information, befriending children and young people. It is common for offenders to move the conversation with a child to a private chat room, and then possibly arrange a real-life meeting.
In 2006 Aġenzija Appoġġ initiated a project aimed to generate awareness about internet safety and providing a service to those who came across child abuse over the internet. Local stakeholders involved in the project also included the Ministry for Investment, Industry and Information Technology, the cyber crime unit of the Malta Police Force, the Education Department, FES and Parents' Associations, Church schools, the Commissioner for Children, the Malta Chamber of Commerce, and local internet service providers (ISPs).
The executive from Aġenzija Appoġġ stressed over and over again the benefits of internet but there are dangers out there and the worst thing parents can do is remain ignorant of the potential dangers.
"Internet gives opportunities for various types of activities - mostly healthy ones, but also, unfortunately, opportunities of fraud and deceit. It is an important source of knowledge but, without the proper parental guidance, it might become harmful to the unsuspecting child or can arouse curiosity that can, unfortunately, lead to risky situations.
"The ICT world is always evolving and education and awareness programmes need to focus on emerging trends. There should also be integrated approach including joint collaboration by parents and educators alike. Parents have a major role in the formation and protection of their children. A healthy relationship is based on understanding and the more interest parents take in what their children are doing, the stronger this relationship can be."
The agency has a service aimed at protecting and supporting children who are or have experienced any form of abuse, irrespective whether the abuse was of a direct (physical contact) or indirect (exposure or grooming).
Maltese legislation makes it clear that the possession, and not just the production or dissemination, of indecent child material is a crime.
"This is important as we have to keep in mind that the downloading of such material is creating a market," stressed Superintendent Caruana. "A market that someone somewhere will supply and therefore another child will be abused. All children are special hence we need to eliminate any such activity."
He reassured that, though his unit is a small team, the police force has the necessary tools to tackle online child abuse.
The sharing of information and cooperation from the Maltese public and local organisations and law enforcement on an international platform are key factors in the work of the unit.
He warns against complacency.
"Internet is a dynamic environment that is continuously changing thus presenting new challenges. The police must be ready to adopt new methods, policies and tools. This is a continuous process."
Both Aġenzija Appoġġ and the Maltese police agree that internet provides many benefits but like other things in life it has its own negative aspects. These, however, can be tackled effectively.
"The key to avoiding victimisation is communication," insists Superintendent Caruana. "Parents must develop communication channels that allow them to spot any potential risks. Technology is fun and parents must not refrain from participating and, why not, learn from their children."
Ms Vella Piscopo invited us not to forget how vulnerable children are.
"It is very important to see and appreciate the benefits of the internet. However, people need to be made aware that there exist many dangers too. Perhaps, for the person in the street, these problems are too complicated to understand, or are not realistic. However, one must always be cautious and alert, especially when there are minors involved due to their vulnerability."
The cyber crime unit can be contacted on e-mail computer.crime@gov.mt or on phone number 2294 2231/2. The website of Aġenzija Appoġġ is http://www.appogg.gov.mt/.
This is the second in a mini-series of articles on internet safety on the occasion of the annual European Safer Internet Day, promoted by the EU and celebrated on February 10.