Government Exploring Ways To Limit Social Media Use For Children Under 13

On Sunday morning, Prime Minister Robert Abela spoke about the growing concern surrounding children’s use of social media. He said this issue fits perfectly within the day’s theme, as children are “the workers of the future” and must be raised with strong values. Dr Abela revealed that work is underway to explore how social media use among children aged 13 and under can be controlled, pointing out that other countries including Australia are already moving in that direction.

What can Malta learn from these countries as it begins to study the same issue?

In Australia, the government recently passed what has been described as a “world-first” law banning children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. The legislation, set to take effect in December 2025, will make it illegal for major platforms to allow under-16s to create accounts. Companies such as TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat will be required to verify users’ ages and take active steps to block underage users. Platforms that fail to comply could face penalties of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars.

Australia’s new law sparked global debate. Supporters call it a bold move to protect mental health, privacy and safety among young people, while critics warn that it could be difficult to enforce and might push children toward unregulated online spaces. The government argues that the measure is about safeguarding children during their most vulnerable years when social media’s effects on attention, anxiety and self-esteem are strongest.

Across Europe, the discussion is also intensifying. While there isn’t yet a continent-wide ban, several EU countries have already taken individual steps to restrict social media access for young children. In France, a law passed in 2023 requires parental consent for anyone under 15 to open a social media account. Germany also demands parental approval for users aged between 13 and 16, while Norway is currently debating whether to raise the digital age of consent from 13 to 15.

At EU level, the European Commission recently issued new guidelines under the Digital Services Act, urging platforms to prioritise child safety and privacy. These guidelines encourage the use of effective age-verification tools and call on online companies to design environments that minimise exposure to harmful content and addictive features for minors. Though the EU has not imposed a single minimum age, momentum is clearly building toward stronger online protections for children.

The conversation taking shape across the world highlights a difficult balance: on one hand, the need to shield children from the potential harms of constant social-media use; on the other, the importance of allowing them to learn, communicate and develop digital literacy in a healthy way. Australia’s firm approach contrasts with Europe’s more flexible, consent-based model and Malta will need to decide which direction aligns best with its values and practical realities.

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