During awareness sessions, the Safer Internet Centre and the Maltese helpline have struggled to attract the desired target audience, tending to only reach those parents who are already aware of online risks and who are very present in their children’s online use. The feeling of ‘preaching to the converted’ was felt incessantly, and so an important decision was made to start collaborating with a programme called SAFE. 

The SAFE programme –meaning Substance Abuse Free Employee –was inaugurated in 2005 with the main aim of conducting sessions in the workplace related to substance abuse. Its objective was to help employees and employers alike to tackle addiction issues, and prevent repercussions in the workplace by helping people to retain their jobs. Over the years, this programme has evolved and given that the SAFE programme already had contacts with important employers around the island, it presented a good opportunity for BeSmartonline! to incorporate a session on the wise use of technology. 

The benefit that the awareness sessions were reaching parents directly in their workplace was felt immediately. An added benefit was that the sessions did not reach only parents; grandparents, older siblings, and aunts or uncles of a child were also reached during these sessions. Over time, the Academy of Disciplined Forces, particularly recruits in the Armed Forces, recruits in the Malta Police Force and also the Civil Protection Department were reached. Sessions were also held with various unions and also private organisations such as financial companies, gaming companies, and insurance companies. 

The organised sessions are generic in the sense that although they focus on online safety with a special emphasis on children and the risks that they might encounter online, they also include tips on skills to empower adults to make wise use of technology themselves, and to be able to offer a protective online environment for the children in their lives. The sessions generate lots of participation and curiosity, and the participants ask plenty of questions. At the end of each session, the Safer Internet Centre distributes a feedback form where each participant can rate the session in an anonymous way and can make suggestions. The feedback forms have proved to be very beneficial for the team. 

Photo credits: Maltese Safer Internet Centre

The Maltese Safer Internet Centre is really happy with this collaboration and hopes to continue with them. And, while the issue of reaching parents is not completely solved, these sessions have proved that reaching adults who are in close contact with children in one way or another can be very effective. 

The BeSmartOnline! project is the Maltese Safer Internet Centre, part of the Insafe network of Safer Internet Centres in Europe. Partners in the project are the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS), the Office of the Commissioner for Children, the Department of Education, and the Malta Police Force. 

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.