Agenzija APPOGG
APPOGG is the National Social Welfare Agency for children and families in need, ultimately aimed at enhancing the lives of people in need, through the provision and availability of professional care and support. The Agency provides at a national level, immediate, unbiased help to those seeking information and support through the Supportline 179 service. The service caters for a wide spectrum of social problems including the abuse of children over the Internet.

MIIIT
The MIIIT has spearheaded a number of initiatives related to the online protection of children. The advancements in Malta's information society and economy have led to a number of actions which seek to strengthen Malta's readiness to pro-actively address the threats related to cyber-security. MIIIT collaborates with various stakeholders involved in the ICT and child welfare in order to proactively address the Internet-related dangers and raise awareness among key stakeholders, namely children, parents and teachers.

The Project

The service of the Hotline is an extension of the Supportline 179. The aim is to create awareness and disseminate tips and information among educators, parents, children and young people about safer use of the Internet without causing any unnecessary alarm. The Supportline 179 - Hotline offers a secure and confidential environment where the public can report cases of child abuse over the internet by accessing the Hotline’s online reporting form. Internet abuse related queries, including different kinds of sexualized images of children and approaches by adults to children through Internet chatting can be reported by means of this website 24-hours a day.

In October 2004, the MIIIT and Agenzija Appogg jointly submitted a proposal requesting funding for the setting up of the Hotline. The project was granted funding under the Safer Internet Programme. A major achievement in this project is the availability of a website and formulation of an online reporting form where the general public can report illegal and harmful material that is found on the internet. .

The campaign will educate the general public on how to use the Internet and other related media in a safe way in order to avoid unpleasant situations for children. It will work to make the Internet a secure place, build confidence, trust and security in line with the National ICT Strategy.