BeSmartOnline is a collaborative project spearheaded by the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS) in conjunction with the Office of the Commissioner for Children, the Directorate for Learning and Assessment Programmes (DLAP), and the Malta Police Force – Cyber Crime Unit, among others. This consortium is supported by several strategic partners who contribute to the project through an Advisory Board. Co-funded by the European Union through HADEA, BeSmartOnline is part of INSAFE and INHOPE, the European network of Safer Internet Centres and hotlines, respectively.

The primary objective of BeSmartOnline is to educate children, teenagers, parents, and educators on the safer use of the Internet, with the aim of empowering and protecting them from the various online risks such as cyberbullying, grooming, and non-consensual sharing of intimate images (sexting). The project also promotes a balanced use of technology to prevent excessive use. By advocating responsible and safe internet use, BeSmartOnline is committed to making the internet a safer place for everyone.

The Foundation for Social Welfare Services operates the Maltese Internet Safety Centre. This centre is aimed at children, to help them understand how to use technology safely while educating them, parents, teachers and other professionals about the risks that exist online and how to protect minors from abuse that is carried out online.

The same foundation has also created an online reporting system specifically for material that shows sexual abuse of minors that is being displayed online. One can report anonymously and confidentially photographs, videos and other material containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), through www.childwebalert.gov.mt.

Another service that the aforementioned foundation provides is the BeSmartOnline helpline. One can call 179 to receive support and assistance in cases where they are a victim of sexting, cyberbullying, or grooming. Through this service, one can also get more information on excessive use of technology.

For more information, check out the BeSmartOnline Facebook page at @Saferinternet.mt or visit https://www.besmartonline.info/​