The police in Malta has reported a substantial increase in cyberbullying cases in different schools with children or adolescents receiving messages of insults, threats and disparaging words on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, which leaves negative effects on them.
The police force has joined BeSmartOnline in an information and educational campaign on Television Malta and Radio Malta on the bad use of digital means and crimes through internet and social media.
The Police cybercrime section daily receives reports of persons who were affected by crimes through digital means. Superintendent Anne Marie Xuereb said that they are currently dealing with a substantial increase of cyberbullying cases in schools.
"These are basically cases of messages on platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram and also with other applications, such as Messenger. The messages consist of insults, threats, disparaging words…sometimes also related to race and religion. Many times these children end up in a depression."
-Superintendent Anne Marie Xuereb
The superintendent said that when the person who allegedly committed these bullying act is aged under 14, although the police cannot take action, it may proceed in court against the parent or the person caring for the minor. “It is important that persons who have minors are on alert about their actions because they may face crime charges in court”.
Cases have also increased of disparaging and hateful words between adults on Facebook, the number of profiles on the social media which are being hacked and attacked by other persons who may be in the list of friends and romance fraud which involves mainly single persons.
Educational campaign
Faced with these situations, the police force in collaboration with BeSmartOnline within FSWS will be organising a four-month educational campaign through various Television Malta and Radio Malta programmes. Superintendent Xuereb said that every month a particular subject will be discussed in detail to provide a good message.
In cases where a payment is requested online, the Cybercrime unit advises that before this is processed, adequate verification should be carried out by checking and confirming details before acting on a request.
This article was originally published on TVM News, and it is here repurposed with the permission of the Maltese Safer Internet Centre.
Find more information about the work of the Maltese Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.
The police in Malta has reported a substantial increase in cyberbullying cases in different schools with children or adolescents receiving messages of insults, threats and disparaging words on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, which leaves negative effects on them.
The police force has joined BeSmartOnline in an information and educational campaign on Television Malta and Radio Malta on the bad use of digital means and crimes through internet and social media.
The Police cybercrime section daily receives reports of persons who were affected by crimes through digital means. Superintendent Anne Marie Xuereb said that they are currently dealing with a substantial increase of cyberbullying cases in schools.
"These are basically cases of messages on platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram and also with other applications, such as Messenger. The messages consist of insults, threats, disparaging words…sometimes also related to race and religion. Many times these children end up in a depression."
-Superintendent Anne Marie Xuereb
The superintendent said that when the person who allegedly committed these bullying act is aged under 14, although the police cannot take action, it may proceed in court against the parent or the person caring for the minor. “It is important that persons who have minors are on alert about their actions because they may face crime charges in court”.
Cases have also increased of disparaging and hateful words between adults on Facebook, the number of profiles on the social media which are being hacked and attacked by other persons who may be in the list of friends and romance fraud which involves mainly single persons.
Educational campaign
Faced with these situations, the police force in collaboration with BeSmartOnline within FSWS will be organising a four-month educational campaign through various Television Malta and Radio Malta programmes. Superintendent Xuereb said that every month a particular subject will be discussed in detail to provide a good message.
In cases where a payment is requested online, the Cybercrime unit advises that before this is processed, adequate verification should be carried out by checking and confirming details before acting on a request.
This article was originally published on TVM News, and it is here repurposed with the permission of the Maltese Safer Internet Centre.
Find more information about the work of the Maltese Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.
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