"En fait, c'est ok!" is the translation of Sensoa's ‘flag system' applied to online relationships and sexuality.
This tool teaches you how to react thoughtfully to sexual relationships and behavior online. You'll learn how to evaluate situations and give them a flag based on six criteria. For each situation, we propose a pedagogical response that translates into an appropriate reaction.
Have you ever shared your social media password with a friend or partner as a sign of trust? In Malta, this common practice, especially among Gen Z, carries significant risks that many don't fully realise. From security threats to potential manipulation and cyberbullying, sharing passwords can open the door to a host of problems. Let's explore the hidden dangers of this seemingly innocent act and why protecting your digital privacy in Malta is more important than ever.
I've spent countless hours in schools and community centres, educating young minds about the complexities of the digital world. While discussing topics like cyberbullying, online grooming, and digital footprint, a recurring question echoes through the room: "Isn't it normal?" This simple phrase, uttered with a mix of confusion and defiance, has become a chilling anthem for a generation grappling with the blurring lines between acceptable and unacceptable online behaviour.
In anticipation of Safer Internet Day 2024, celebrated worldwide on 6 February, the office of the Commissioner for children and the Foundation for social welfare services (FSWS) underlined the importance of creating a safer online environment for children and young people.
The office of the Commissioner for children, in collaboration with FSWS, is actively participating in the BeSmartOnline! campaign, which strives to raise awareness and provide support to safeguard children online.
Starting at the end of 2024, TikTok will ban beauty filters for its underage users. These filters, which alter appearance, have been criticized by regulators for their negative impact on young people's mental health.
Many children and teens, in search of social validation, use these filters to fit unattainable beauty standards. Studies on youth mental health, along with concerns from parents, have raised alarms about the harm these tools can cause.
According to ARCOM (France), each month 40% of 12 and 16 year olds freely and easily access adult sites. The Pornhub site comes out on top, revealing higher attendance among minors than adults. Driven by a natural curiosity, teenagers do not hesitate to explore this content, even though it is unsuitable for their ages. But the risks are very real.
This can cause them to adopt false ideas about relationships and sexuality, while putting their self-esteem and mental well-being at risk.
We’ve all seen them: filters that instantly change our appearance on social media. Whether it’s a slimmer face, plumper lips, or instant makeup, these filters are everywhere. But have you ever stopped to think about the effects they have on our mental health, especially for young people?
How do filters work? Filters add creative effects to photos and videos, often based on beauty standards that are considered "acceptable" in our society. While they can be fun, they also promote an idealized vision of what we could look like.
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.
