Ibrowsesafely.com.mt is a local initiative to safeguard children’s safety online. The initiative, fostered within the Vodafone Malta Foundation, is aimed at parents, grandparents and educators offering advice online through ibrowsesafely.com.mt and offline through information talks.
On ibrowsesafely.com.mt as well as its Facebook page counterpart, parents can find the latest information on issues related to internet use and safety online.
“We wanted our online resources to be live and dynamic, ensuring that all our content truly addresses parents’ concerns,” said Vanessa Camenzuli, corporate affairs executive at Vodafone Malta.
“For this reason we engaged subject expert Andrew Azzopardi, who vets all the material, and produce blogs written by various experts in the field.”
Veronica Montanaro, the campaign’s outreach coordinator handles the regular information talks. She is supported by Vodafone Malta employees who are actively encouraged to be part of this initiative. All front-line staff are trained so that they can offer advice and assistance on this topic to parents.
The initiative supports Be Smart Online, Malta’s national campaign for the promotion of online safety run by the Malta Communications Authority.
Amanda Nelson, Vodafone Malta CEO, said that this initiative is only the tip of the iceberg of what Vodafone are doing internationally.
“You may have heard of the Guardian App, Moshi Monster Web Skills, or the Digital Parenting Magazine. These are all initiatives born within Vodafone’s across the globe,” said Nelson. “As a leader in the telecommunications industry, Vodafone has genuinely taken a conscious decision to be a leader in the promotion and education of the safe use of mobile technology and the internet.”
MCA’s latest study, Children’s Internet Use and Parents’ Perceptions of their Children’s Online Experience, shows that 78 per cent of children look to their parents for information related to the internet. This clearly indicates that parents really need to be informed.
“As a parent of four, I find myself struggling with simple things like how much time should my kids should spend playing games, or simply using their tablet, and whether or not they are sharing personal information,” said Nelson.
“I actually find myself referring to ibrowsesafely.com.mt’s six golden rules and have found that they have given me a head start on my digital parenting journey.”
For more information visit www.ibrowsesafely.com.mt.