Initiative to keep children smart online to continue

The use of the internet and its applications by children and youths was discussed at the closing conference of the ‘BeSmartOnline!’ project.

The conference wrapped up 20 months of activities undertaken jointly by a consortium made up of the Malta Communications Authority, the Foundation for Social Welfare Services through the Aġenzija Appoġġ, the Directorate for Educational Services, the Office of the Commissioner for Children, the Malta Police Force and the Secretariat for Catholic Education. Various professionals and practitioners in the fields of education, social welfare and ICT participated in this event.

The ‘BeSmartOnline!’ project is co-funded by the European Union’s Safer Internet Programme and forms part of INSAFE – the European network of Safer Internet Centres. Over the past 20 months the consortium was engaged in various activities including an extensive school campaign reaching all Maltese children in schools, 15 public information events, teacher and social worker training and a series of lectures organised jointly with the University of Malta.

However following the success of the first 20 month period, the consortium has recently submitted a new proposal for funding to the EU Commission.

The new project will last 26 months and will continue to build on raising awareness amongst minors, parents and carers; understanding ICT use by Maltese children; build capacity of practitioners and professionals working in the field; and consolidating the helpline and hotline services.

The conference was addressed by Robert Hayes, UK director and senior fellow at Microsoft Institute for Advance Technology in Governments, who gave an insight into the challenges emerging from new technologies.

Marika Fsadni followed, presenting the initial findings of a study commissioned to investigate ICT usage by Maltese children. Reference to qualitative research exercise being undertaken across Europe, including Malta, as part of the EUKidsOnline project, was also made.

As part of the project, ‘Supportline 179’ operated by Aġenzija Appoġġ served as a helpline on queries related to internet safety. A hotline was also established to enable the general public to report internet abuse such as child pornography.

The Maltese hotline has also become a member of Inhope, an international network of hotlines that fight child abuse over the internet.

“The real challenge is keeping stock of the latest threats and risks associated with online applications and trends and keeping a balance between raising awareness in this regard and implementing preventative measures, where necessary, whilst at the same time, encouraging more people to engage in positive, responsible online activity,” said Philip Micallef, executive chairman of the MCA.

“The sharing of expertise and experience amongst the various stakeholders is key, and has, in no small way, contributed to the success of this project.

“But this is not enough. The strong coordination and continued collaboration amongst the members of the consortium has without a doubt been vital for the project to reach its objectives,” he concluded.

www.besmartonline.org.mt