Better Internet for Kids

To celebrate the day, several awareness sessions were organised with children and young people on the smart use of technology and on parenting in this digital age. The aim was to raise awareness on how to safeguard children’s well-being online by teaching them the risks and dangers they might be exposed to online, to draw attention to the way they behave online and the consequences of such behaviour relating to sexting and cyberbullying. Due to Covid-19 restrictions still being in place, a high level of planning and coordination was needed to be able to give talks to separate classes of the same grade in line with social distancing and bubbles. 

Parents and carers were also targeted in schools by holding informational sessions on parenting in this digital age, to empower them with the right tools to assist their children in this day and age, when their children’s digital lives might feel overwhelming for them to remain in control of, especially with the added pressure that Covid-19 restrictions created when trying to maintain a healthy online-offline balance for their children. 

Together with members on the youth panel, the BeSmartOnline! (BSO) team worked on a two-minute video which was then uploaded on social media platforms and shared with all the state, independent and church schools to help celebrate Safer Internet Day with all the young people residing in Malta. 

The schools also received a link to the BSO Safer Internet Day toolkit with resources for teachers and educators to use in any of their activities highlighting one or many of the different skills children need to stay safe online. The BSO team, led by the Directorate for Learning and Assessment program member of the project’s consortium, created the book The Angry Wolf that was disseminated on Safer Internet Day and sent to all schools to keep in their libraries for all Year 2 classes. 

The Office for the Commissioner of Children, also part of the BeSmartOnline! consortium, disseminated Kiko and the Manymes to all primary students residing in Malta. In total, approximately 5,000 students were reached. Apart from the many radio and TV appearances, the BSO team held a session with the Msida St. Joseph football club nursery to celebrate Safer Internet Day with the young and aspiring footballers. The BeSmartOnline! Facebook page was also buzzing with activity from the audience. This year’s edition of Safer Internet Day was again successful, withstanding the current Covid-19 restrictions in place. 

Find out more about Safer Internet Day in Malta. Alternatively, find out more about the work of the Maltese Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline and youth participation services – or find similar information for Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.