The 7^th of February marks Safer Internet Day – a day celebrated in over 150 countries worldwide. Like in previous years, the theme for this important day is Together for a Better Internet. It is a call to action for all stakeholders to join together and play their part in creating a better internet for everyone particularly children and young people. We should continue to strive to ensure that children use the internet responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively

The Office of the Commissioner for Children is committed to creating a better internet for children and forms part of the BeSmartOnline! campaign together with FSWS (Foundation for Social Welfare Services), the Directorate for Learning and Assessment Programmes within the Ministry for Education and the Cyber Crime Unit within the Malta Police Force. This initiative aims to safeguard children online through awareness raising and by offering help and support.

To commemorate this important day several initiatives are being undertaken.  Many schools have committed themselves to celebrate this day by organising various activities with the support of the BeSmartOnline! Team. Schools and other organisations have access to a toolkit, consisting of lesson plans and other resources, developed by the BeSmartOnline team covering different topics of online safety for children of all ages. The toolkit can be accessed through the following link http://besmartonline.org.mt/sid-toolkit

In addition to this, three different resources will be distributed in all schools, these include: Kiko and the Manymes, a Council of Europe Publication produced in Maltese by the Office of the Commissioner for Children to be distributed on a year 3 classes; a leaflet promoting the balanced use of technology to be distributed in all year 6 classes; and a resource for PSCD teachers to discuss the risks of sexting with students in year 9.

As parts of its efforts to create awareness about the safe use of the internet, the BeSmartOnline! Team will be setting up an information stand in Triton Square on the 4^th of February between 9:00 and 13:00. Activities for children will also be organised. Children and their parents/guardians are encourage to visit this stand to obtain more information about the wise use of technology.

For more support and guidance regarding online safety for children one can visit www.besmartonline.org.mt or call the support line 179. Abuse that takes place online should be reported through www.childwebalert.gov.mt.