A boy switches on his computer late at night, while his parents think he is asleep, and clicks on an e-mail that allows a virus to delete all his family’s photos and documents.
Another boy starts a conversation on Facebook with a friend his own age who later turns out to be an adult with bad intentions.
These stories are told in a string of comic books designed to teach children and teens the dangers of the internet, explained the Commissioner for Children, Helen D’Amato, as she handed out copies to students at St Margaret College’s primary school in Cospicua.
And the stories told through the comics – designed by students at the Malta College for Arts Science and Technology – are not as far-fetched as some might think.
A 10-year-old student at the school tells Ms D’Amato that he likes using Facebook and, since he is still underage to use the social network, he faked his date of birth to be older when he created his account.
The boy says it matter-of-factly and is clearly oblivious to any potential dangers he is exposing himself to. His classmates’ reaction, clearly unimpressed, suggests he is not the only one.
A recent study showed that half of 12-year-olds in Malta can freely access the internet from their bedroom. The ability to surf the net in privacy rises with age to 62 per cent for 13-year-olds and 63 per cent for 14-year-olds.
The comic books stress that the web can be an incredible source of information and learning and alert children and teens to the potential hazards lurking behind the familiar screen.
The books are being handed to all students in Year 5 to Form 2 as part of a series of events leading to World Children’s Day on November 20.
Kindergarten students will be given a set of flashcards to help them learn about children’s rights while they play. These include the right to play, be looked after and live in a clean environment.
Ms D’Amato said that on Sunday children are invited to enjoy a day of fun and activities at Villa Francia in Lija where they will also be taught about their rights. The villa will be open to the public between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The Children Commissioner’s office recently came under fire during a Labour Party think-tank activity when it was criticised as being “absent” and “toothless”. Ms D’Amato invited anyone who had complaints about work carried out by her office to contact it so that such issues could be addressed.