Maltese Safer Internet Centre
LocationAbout the organisation
The primary objective of BeSmartOnline is to educate children, teenagers, parents, and educators on the safer use of the Internet, with the aim of empowering and protecting them from the various online risks such as cyberbullying, grooming, and non-consensual sharing of intimate images (sexting). The project also promotes a balanced use of technology to prevent excessive use. By advocating responsible and safe internet use, BeSmartOnline is committed to making the internet a safer place for everyone.
BeSmartOnline is a collaborative endeavor led by the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS) in partnership with significant entities including the Office of the Commissioner for Children, the Directorate for Learning and Assessment Programmes within The Ministry of Education, and the Cyber Crime Unit within Malta Police Force. This united effort is strengthened by strategic collaborators contributing insights through an Advisory Board. The project secures financial backing from the European Union through HADEA and is an integral part of the European network of Safer Internet Centres and hotlines, collectively known as INSAFE and INHOPE.
Profile last updated: July 2024
Awareness centre
Description:
The main objective of the awareness centre is to empower children, parents, carers and teachers to make the best use of the Internet while contributing on enhancing digital resource centres, from which specific awareness toolkits and services will be adapted and deployed, in collaboration with established third parties.
Call: 22580152
Email address: 179.appogg@gov.mt
Website: http://www.besmartonline.info
Social media:
https://www.facebook.com/saferinternet.mt
https://www.youtube.com/@besmartonline_mt
https://www.instagram.com/besmartonline_mt/
Helpline
Description:
The helpline is the national helpline for Malta and offers its services through a freephone number, 179. The helpline is heavily involved in awareness-raising efforts and also has a very close working relationship with the Malta Police Force and other agencies related to child protection and welfare.
The helpline provides support for young people and their parents encountering harmful content (grooming), conduct (cyberbullying) and web content by one-to-one conversations via telephone, e-mail and online chat services with trained counsellors on online related issues, drawing up operating guidelines and providing qualitative feedback at European level.
Phone: 179
Email address: 179.appogg@gov.mt
Website: https://fsws.gov.mt/en/appogg/Pages/welcome-appogg.aspx
Hotline
Description:
The hotline receives reports through an online reporting form of content which is illegal by Maltese legislation. The hotline analysts review such content and refer it accordingly to the Maltese Cyber Crime Unit. Given that the hotline is a member of INHOPE, the reports are also referred to the hotline of the hosting country.
Website: http://www.childwebalert.gov.mt
Youth participation
Description:
Youth participation is formally organised through a youth panel. Supplementing this, the youth panel coordinator also visits a number of schools in order to gather more ideas and feedback.
Email address: cfc@gov.mt
Website: http://www.tfal.org.mt
Social media:
https://www.facebook.com/Commissioner-for-Children-Malta-99261679454/
Key successes
The Maltese Safer Internet Centre (SIC) has been successful in bringing together a number of key national entities whose mandates have traditionally had them working in isolation and in diverse fields. Through the project, it was recognised that the expertise of these entities and their respective objectives all diverge on the issues related to online risk. Having such a strong consortium has ensured that the SIC has managed to establish itself in Malta as national point of contact on this front.
This has been recognised by policy makers as evidenced by the number of times and extent to which the SIC has been consulted on policy and also legislative issues. The various collaborative efforts together with industry and the educational sector also recognise this.
Key partners/supporters
Key supporters of the Maltese Safer Internet Centre (SIC) include:
- Kellimni.com
- Directorate for Educational Services
- Secretariat for Catholic Education
- Independent Schools Association
- National Youth Agency
- University of Malta
The BeSmartOnline! consortium understands that cooperation is key to the successful implementation of the project. In view of this, an Advisory Board has been set up to act as a central channel of communication among stakeholders within the field of internet safety.