More than 100 social workers and professionals underwent intensive training this week on combating online abuse and empowering children to build digital resilience in a rapidly changing digital age.

Spread over four days, the Child Online Protection Training was jointly delivered by the ITU Europe Office and the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society, as part of its campaign to foster increased cross-sector collaboration in addressing online risks.

MFWS chair Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca said the foundation’s Promote Online Protection Project — P.O.P-Up — was specifically created to unite stakeholders and ensure everyone was equipped with the right tools to provide a safer digital environment for children.

“Collaboration is key. No single individual or organisation can tackle the complexities of online child protection alone. We must work together, across sectors, communities, and borders, to build a strong, supportive network for children.

“Online exploitation, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful content are just some of the threats our children face today… Your role in ensuring children navigate the digital world safely cannot be overstated,” Ms Coleiro Preca told all those who completed the training.

The programme explored how algorithmic designs and encrypted platforms can be misused through peer-to-peer technologies, and highlighted the dangers of deepfakes, where artificial intelligence is used to create convincing, but false images, videos and audio content.

Viktoriia Omelianenko, project officer at the ITU Europe Office, explained how the training helped equip different stakeholders with the knowledge and skills needed to better protect children online. 

“This kind of training is vital because we are witnessing growing challenges for children online, and we need to ensure that those working with them are prepared to recognise and respond to these risks,” she said.

Those attending the training included social workers from the Foundation for Social Welfare Service, Fondazzjoni Sebħ, Victim Support Agency, the National Council of Women, MGRM, as well as representatives from GO Mobile, Epic, the Malta Digital Innovation Authority, the Malta Communications Authority, and the National Foster Care Association Malta.

Ms Coleiro Preca thanked the trainers, the MFWS team, and all those who shared their knowledge, experience, and commitment to tackling urgent online challenges.

“This training equips us to recognise threats, spot early warning signs, and support children and their families effectively. But knowledge alone is not enough; we must act. I urge you to apply what you’ve learned, to educate parents and caregivers, and to empower children with the skills they need to stay safe online. You are the defenders of our children’s future,” Ms Coleiro Preca urged.