My impression is that Maltese youths, enthusiasts, creators, businesses and start-ups are enthusiastic about and are interested in learning ways and methods on how to enhance their development.
A quick look at data concerning Malta on internet usage released during this calendar year shows how Maltese internet users are somewhat obsessed with social media.
We rank 2nd highest from all Member States which are logged on to internet. If we dig deeper we see how data encapsulates personal internet usage, household data and businesses through the increasing use of targeted ads amongst internet users aged between 16 and 74.
We come 3rd when it comes to online music listeners. At 65% we surpass the EU average by a staggering 15%.
We rank 6th highest EU Member when it comes to people viewing videos online, either through commercial services such as Netflix or sharing services such as YouTube. The percentage shoots up to 95% within the 16-24-year-olds cohort and reaches 58% amongst the 64-75-year-olds.
Ranking 11thon WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook and Facetime usage; data evidences an encouraging increase of elderly people who are taking the plunge of making use of online services.
As an MEP I decided to step up my efforts in this area because I see huge potential for the Maltese people. The digital revolution we are living in today could really make a difference in the lives of our citizens. It wipes away geographical connectivity disadvantages we frequently lament about.
I identified performers, publishers, artists and creators as a cohort which can really make the mark due to impressive works which they create but unfortunately, they tend to remain under the radar for various reasons. My affinity with the sector makes me realise the untapped potential there is.
For this reason, I joined forces with You Tube to support a free training session in Malta I am organising this month with the support of the EPP Group in the European Parliament.
One may ask: why You Tube?
Firstly, YouTube has grown into a community used by over 1 billion people across the globe to access information, share videos, and shape cultures.
Secondly, contrary to those that live in 97 countries within the YouTube Partner Programme, Maltese content creators who upload their videos on their YouTube Channel cannot get paid for the number of viewers their videos reach. This irks me a lot because there are YouTubers within the partner programme that also make a living just through their YouTube Channels, but Malta, Bulgaria and Cyprus are the only three EU member states that are left out from such a programme.
I am in talks with You Tube to see this addressed concretely and effectively because such a situation is affecting young people, creators, artists, performers and digital enthusiasts alike.
Let me give two examples.
Luke Muscat is a medical student. A few years ago, he revealed his real ambition, which was, to make a living off YouTube. He raised over 51 million views on quirky song covers made by using note blocks in a popular video game Minecraft, a sand box video game in which users build anything from machines to cities using virtual blocks. This is hardly the sort of dream one would think of, but had Malta been a country within the You Tube programme it would have been a pleasant financial reality for Luke by today.
A Maltese woman has slowly built herself up to become one of the island's top social media influencers. She has a YouTube 'Silver Play Button', a recognition awarded to those whose accounts get 100,000 subscribers. Her social media feed is a mix of hair and beauty tips, brand endorsements, and everyday vlogs. She managed to build up a following which extends far beyond our shores.
I want to help these two Maltese young creators, including performers, artists and musicians; to build their dream through professional online productions on social platforms like You Tube and absorb all information they might get through tailor made training sessions ranging from beginners who are curious about opening a YouTube channel to YouTubers/businesses who want to take their channel to the next level.
On a final note, I encourage everyone, especially young people, to make use of social media, which essentially is a free platform for public participation in all issues of interest to them.
The rise of social media technologies is an opportunity for all citizens and observers to identify pitfalls of their leaders and use this tool for their advantage positively towards new policy decisions which will ultimately affect lives.
Francis Zammit Dimech is a Nationalist MEP