The Insafe Network has launched the European Award for Best Content for Kids within the framework of the European Commission’s Safer Internet Programme. This award aims at encouraging children and adults to create new and highlight already existing child-friendly, quality online content. The internet is a great place for kids and with positive content, children can play, explore and learn safely. As part of the Network, BeSmartOnline! is coordinating the competition in Malta.

Positive content can be everything from an educational website, blog, video or an app: the main thing is that it creatively supports and showcases positive content initiatives across Europe, encouraging children and young people to find positive ways to spend time online (educate, inform, stretch and stimulate imagination, enable acquiring new skills etc).

Adults and children from all over Europe are invited to submit positive content initiatives aimed at children aged 4-12 years; young people can even create content for peers up to 18 years of age.

Awards will be made at national and then European level for entries by four categories of participants:

1. Adult professionals (i.e. those who produce online content for a living).

2. Adult non-professionals.

3. Individual young people.

4. School classes/groups of young people.

The Competition will be open until the end of October with the best national initiatives going forward to compete at European level. The top-three European resources in each of the four categories will be recognised at an awards ceremony in Brussels on Safer Internet Day in February 2014.

The Commissioner for Children encourages participation in this competition in order for local positive content to be recognised and promoted. Full information, and registrations of interest, can be made on the competition website at www.bestcontentaward.eu alternatively you may contact the Office of the Commissioner for Children on 21485180 or suzanne.gili@gov.mt.

The BeSmartOnline! project is funded through the European Commission’s Safer Internet Programme. The aim of the project is that of raising awareness on the risks associated with internet use by minors, provide support through a helpline, and provide a hotline through which the public can report illegal online content.

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