Better Internet for Kids

The awareness centre's main objective is to empower children, young people, parents, carers and educators to use the internet safely, responsibly and positively. It pursues this through a combination of direct outreach, resource development and national campaigning. School-based delivery remains at the heart of the Centre's work, with awareness sessions delivered to students across primary and secondary levels, alongside dedicated sessions for parents and training for teachers and other professionals working with children.

The centre works closely with the education directorates to embed online safety within the school environment. The centre develops and adapts awareness resources, including toolkits, infographics, blogs and campaign materials, tailored to the Maltese context and, where relevant, available in Maltese and English.

Emerging risks such as sextortion, sexual deepfakes, AI-related harms and age-inappropriate content are addressed through timely resources, media engagement and social media campaigns.

National visibility is reinforced through the annual Safer Internet Day campaign and regular participation in TV, radio and press coverage.

As a member of the Insafe network, the centre exchanges best practices with European counterparts and contributes to youth participation initiatives. Cooperation with established third parties and the Advisory Board ensures activities remain coordinated and responsive to national needs.

The Safer Internet Centre's awareness services can be accessed through the contact form on our website: Besmartonline.info, by sending a private message through our Facebook page, or by calling us directly at +356 229 590 00. We are available from 08:30 to 17:00.
 

The BeSmartOnline! helpline provides support, information and guidance to children, young people, parents, carers and professionals on issues related to online safety. Its trained operators handle cases including cyberbullying, sextortion, online grooming, excessive internet use and exposure to harmful or age-inappropriate content, offering both emotional support and practical guidance on how to respond.

The helpline is accessed through Supportline 179, the national helpline operated by the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS), which acts as the first point of contact and channels online safety cases directly to the BeSmartOnline! helpline.

Users can also reach the service through the FSWS online chat function, which connects directly to the helpline; a channel particularly suited to children and young people, who often prefer text-based communication when discussing sensitive issues. Both channels are free of charge.

BeSmartOnline! holds trusted flagger status under the Digital Services Act (DSA), meaning that harmful or illegal content identified through helpline cases can be reported to online platforms with priority handling, strengthening the practical support offered to users seeking the removal of such content. As part of the FSWS structure, the helpline can refer users to specialised support services where wider needs are identified. The helpline is an active member of the Insafe network, and case trends identified through its work inform the SIC's awareness priorities, keeping the three strands of BeSmartOnline! closely connected.

Contact and opening hours:

The BeSmartOnline helpline is available to the public through multiple contact methods:

• Phone: The public can reach the helpline by calling 179, the general helpline. The helpline operates 24/7 and is free of charge.
• Online chat: Support is also available through the FSWS online chat function, which connects users directly to the 179 helpline. This channel is particularly accessible for children and young people, who often prefer text-based communication when discussing sensitive issues.
• Email: Inquiries and requests for assistance can be sent via email to 179.appogg@gov.mt.

These services are aimed at providing assistance with issues related to online safety, such as cyberbullying, sexting, grooming, and excessive use of technology.

The hotline receives reports through an online reporting form of content which is illegal under 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. The public-facing Child Web Alert hotline is available for reporting illegal online content, particularly related to child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Contact and opening hours
The hotline operates 24/7, allowing reports to be submitted at any time. The service ensures confidentiality and acts promptly to investigate and take action on the reports received.

Methods of contact include:

• Online reporting form: reports can be submitted through the online reporting form available at childwebalert.gov.mt.
   

Youth participation within BeSmartOnline! is formally organised through a Youth Panel, coordinated by the Office of the Commissioner for Children as part of its role within the consortium. This placement reflects the Office's mandate to promote children's rights and ensure that young people's views are heard on matters affecting them — including their experiences online. The Youth Panel brings together young people who meet regularly to discuss online safety issues, share their perspectives on emerging trends and risks, and provide feedback on the SIC's campaigns, resources and priorities. Their input helps ensure that awareness materials and messaging remain relevant, age-appropriate and grounded in the realities of young people's digital lives.

To broaden participation beyond the panel itself, the Youth Panel coordinator also visits schools across Malta, gathering ideas and feedback from a wider and more diverse group of students. This outreach ensures that youth input is not limited to panel members but reflects the experiences of young people more generally. Insights gathered through the Youth Panel and school visits feed directly into the SIC's work across all three strands, informing campaign themes, resource development and national advocacy.

How can you get involved?
Children and young people can actively participate in the work of the Safer Internet Centre in several ways: 

• Joining the youth panel: the Youth Panel, run by the Office of the Commissioner for Children, gives young people the chance to voice their opinions, share experiences, and help shape internet safety initiatives. By joining, they can collaborate on awareness campaigns, provide input on online safety issues, and contribute to decisions that impact their online well-being.
• Workshops and events: the Safer Internet Centre, in collaboration with the Commissioner for Children's Office, organises workshops and events throughout the year, allowing young people to contribute ideas on safe online practices.
• Awareness campaigns: youth can also participate in awareness campaigns and initiatives, promoting a safer and more responsible use of the internet among their peers.

For more information or to express interest in joining, children and young people (or their guardians) can contact the Safer Internet Centre through the following methods:

• Website: visit BeSmartOnline.info for more information.
• Email: contact the Office of the Commissioner for Children via email at cfc@gov.mt.

These opportunities provide a platform for young people to be heard and to play an active role in promoting a safer online environment.