VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The government has unveiled proposals to restrict social media access for children under the age of 13, alongside plans to introduce monitoring and enforcement mechanisms developed in collaboration with parents and other stakeholders.
The measures were outlined in a newly published Green Paper, which invites public discussion on tighter controls around children’s use of social media. The document follows last month’s announcement of a technical committee tasked with preparing a report and recommendations based on feedback gathered during an ongoing consultation process.
Speaking at the launch, Parliamentary Secretary for Equality Rebecca Buttigieg said the reform’s primary objective is to safeguard children and other vulnerable groups, while respecting the fundamental right to freedom of expression.
Minister for Social Policy and Children’s Rights Michael Falzon added that the intention is not to impose a blanket ban on social media for young users, but to ensure that its use is properly regulated, particularly in light of concerns around self-harm. According to Falzon, the number of young people engaging in self-harm has tripled in recent years.
-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).
