Nowadays, we are accustomed to seeing people glued to their phones, with children not just gaming digitally but also accessing social media via parents' devices. In reality, we all are more addicted to phones and platforms than we admit. What concerns me most, however, is the negative impact on our children and vulnerable citizens.
Against this backdrop - and backed by studies - the Maltese Government is taking action. In fact, the Children's Policy Framework 2024-2030, prioritises Supporting a Safer Digital Environment, grounded in the understanding that children's online environment directly impacts their development and their wellbeing, and safety. This priority drove initiatives like Be Smart Online run by FSWS and tougher laws on cyberstalking and cyberbullying.
Similarly, the Social Plan for The Family, 2025-2030, also calls for discussions 'on enforcing age restrictions' for social media use, focusing on measures to limit access for children and exploring effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, thus in collaboration with parents and other relevant stakeholders.' To this end, a Social Media Committee has been formed, followed by the publication of a joint Green Paper, inviting contributions on the subject at hand.
The baseline is clear: tackling social media risks and possible negative repercussions and taking care of our children's physical and mental wellbeing. Whilst a one size approach does not fit all, the need felt by the Maltese government, is in synch with a growing impetus worldwide. Last year, Australia took the plunge with its world-first national ban on social media for under 16s. The legislation obliges platforms, like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, X and Threads, to block account creation and deactivate existing accounts for under 16s or face massive fines.
In the meantime, several EU countries are also pushing for further regulatory action at an EU level. This was highlighted in a Roundtable organized by the Danish Council Presidency on World Children's Day in Brussels, a few days before the European Parliament's strong vote on a Report urging stronger minor protection on social media, video-sharing platforms and AI companions. The Report asks for parental consent for 13-to-16-year-olds and no access for minors under 13 years. It also calls for stricter enforcement of the Digital Services Act and promotes bans on harmful addictive features like infinite scrolling, autoplay and gamification targeted at minors. As UNICEF rightly stated: 'Laws introducing age restrictions are not an alternative to companies improving platform design and content moderation'. In this regard, the upcoming EU Digital Fairness Act also proposes safety by design obligations for platforms. As to the proper enforcement of the Digital Services Act. The European Commission has also just issued a warning of hefty fines to TikTok if it does not sufficiently address its addictive design features, such as infinite scroll, autoplay and non-stop notifications, which push users, especially children and teens, to spend more and more time on the app. Specifically, in particular screen time management and parental control were found lacking.
Concurrently, several EU Member States are considering national legislation and policies, including age-related restrictions. Denmark apart from rallying most EU members via the Jutland Declaration - recommending further action at EU level and age-verification solutions - has also reached a landmark agreement to prohibit social media access for children under the age of 15, with parental consent allowing access from age 13. This was followed by similar commitments by France as well as Spain, with the latter even looking at an outright ban for those under 16 years of age. These moves are intensifying pressures on major tech platforms amid escalating global concerns over the negative influence of harmful content and commercial exploitation targeting young users.
Such bold actions do not come without their skepticism and challenges: Reddit and two Australian teens are contesting the social media ban in court, raising claims over privacy and political rights. Similarly, UNICEF warns that bans might risk pushing kids to unregulated spaces, stressing the importance of a holistic approach balancing protection, privacy, and participation. In our case some of the local stakeholders whom we met, or who have already submitted feedback tend to, lean more towards strengthened education and informed support, rather than outright bans.
Whilst we keep on monitoring EU and international developments, we also look forward to continue listening to public feedback. Tackling social media's harms, especially for our young ones, is an investment in our society's foundation and our shared responsibility. The question is not whether something should be done, but how to best do it!
Michael Falzon is the Minister for Social Policy and Children's Rights