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Caught in the Vacuum: Policies Addressing Online Harms in Maltese Secondary Schools

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Title: Caught in the Vacuum: Policies Addressing Online Harms in Maltese Secondary Schools
Language: English
Authors: Lucianne Zammit (ORCID 0000-0001-5961-5614)
Source: British Educational Research Journal. 2026 52(1):517-537.
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 21
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Secondary Schools, Secondary School Students, Bullying, Computer Mediated Communication, Social Bias, Sexual Harassment, Child Safety, Well Being, Educational Policy, School Role, Sexual Abuse, Cultural Influences
Geographic Terms: Malta
DOI: 10.1002/berj.70021
ISSN: 0141-1926
1469-3518
Abstract: This study investigates the strategies employed by Maltese secondary schools to protect students from online harms such as cyberbullying, sexting and hate speech. The research utilises Moor's theory of conceptual and policy vacuums to explore the policy challenges schools face in addressing these issues. Data were collected through qualitative interviews with 21 participants, including policymakers, school leaders and teachers, alongside an analysis of relevant policy documents. Findings reveal significant gaps in awareness and policy implementation, with schools struggling to manage online harms effectively. Cyberbullying emerged as the primary concern, exacerbated by blurred boundaries between school and home environments. Sexting and digital sexual abuse were less acknowledged, reflecting cultural taboos and inadequate policy frameworks. The study underscores the need for comprehensive, standardised policies and increased awareness among educators to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students in the digital age. The findings call for targeted efforts to bridge these policy and conceptual vacuums, fostering a safer online environment for young people.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1499073
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Caught in the Vacuum: Policies Addressing Online Harms in Maltese Secondary Schools
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lucianne+Zammit%22">Lucianne Zammit</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5961-5614">0000-0001-5961-5614</externalLink>)
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Secondary+Schools%22">Secondary Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Secondary+School+Students%22">Secondary School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Bullying%22">Bullying</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Mediated+Communication%22">Computer Mediated Communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Bias%22">Social Bias</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sexual+Harassment%22">Sexual Harassment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Child+Safety%22">Child Safety</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Well+Being%22">Well Being</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Policy%22">Educational Policy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+Role%22">School Role</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sexual+Abuse%22">Sexual Abuse</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+Influences%22">Cultural Influences</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Malta%22">Malta</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1002/berj.70021
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  Data: This study investigates the strategies employed by Maltese secondary schools to protect students from online harms such as cyberbullying, sexting and hate speech. The research utilises Moor's theory of conceptual and policy vacuums to explore the policy challenges schools face in addressing these issues. Data were collected through qualitative interviews with 21 participants, including policymakers, school leaders and teachers, alongside an analysis of relevant policy documents. Findings reveal significant gaps in awareness and policy implementation, with schools struggling to manage online harms effectively. Cyberbullying emerged as the primary concern, exacerbated by blurred boundaries between school and home environments. Sexting and digital sexual abuse were less acknowledged, reflecting cultural taboos and inadequate policy frameworks. The study underscores the need for comprehensive, standardised policies and increased awareness among educators to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students in the digital age. The findings call for targeted efforts to bridge these policy and conceptual vacuums, fostering a safer online environment for young people.
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      – SubjectFull: Secondary School Students
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      – SubjectFull: Bullying
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      – SubjectFull: Computer Mediated Communication
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      – SubjectFull: Social Bias
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      – SubjectFull: Sexual Harassment
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      – SubjectFull: Sexual Abuse
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      – SubjectFull: Malta
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