A new website is informing parents and grandparents about the good, the bad and the ugly of internet browsing.

It will also include updates about changes in privacy settings of social media sites such as Facebook.

While children were being born into a world of tablets and smartphones, their parents had to adapt to the internet and it was not always easy to keep up, said Mikela Fenech Pace, Vodafone Malta’s corporate affairs senior executive.

Vodafone’s social corporate responsibility team launched ibrowsesafely.com.mt with information on parent control, online jargon, changes in technology, resources and a blog about safety, including cyber bullying.

The blog will include updates from the police cybercrime unit and from the parents of children with disabilities and a related Facebook page will contain browsing tips.

Although it is aimed at parents and educators, there is a section informing children about appropriate online behaviour, warning that they might not always know the people they befriend on the internet.

The website was developed in support of the BeSmartOnline initiative, an EU-funded project that raises awareness about a safe internet environment.

It was launched yesterday in Maltese and English at the 20th edition of the Pembroke and Swieqi sports and fun festival.

There is a need for awareness because we are giving our children tablets and phones with unlimited access

“Vodafone wants to provide its services with a conscience. It is not a scaremongering campaign but we want to raise awareness about safe browsing,” Ms Fenech Pace said.

“There is a need for awareness because we are constantly giving our children tablets and phones with unlimited internet access,” the mother-of-five added.

With 98 per cent of children having access to the internet and more than half getting online on mobile phones and tablets, parents need to be aware of the risks.

Parents have already asked for workshops to address their needs while web safety expert David Miles, of the Family Online Safety Institute, will give a lecture to PSD teachers and health and safety professionals.

Veronica Montanaro, a speech therapist working on the campaign, said teachers would soon be able to download a presentation about safety.

Golden rules for digital parenting

• Appreciate your children’s technological knowledge.

• Be aware of the benefits and dangers of technology.

• Spend time with your children using the technology they use.

• Explain safe and unsafe use of technology to your children.

• Keep up to date with advances in technology.

• Pay attention to age ratings when choosing resources for your children.

• See also www.ibrowsesafely.com.mt and www.facebook.com/ibrowsesafely.com.mt.