Government Studying Measures To Restrict Social Media Access For Under 13s – Prime Minister Robert Abela

The Maltese Government is currently exploring measures to restrict social media access for children aged 13 and under, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced yesterday.

“Our children are the workers of tomorrow, and we must safeguard them while ensuring they grow up with strong values,” Prime Minister Robert Abela said. “This discussion forms part of a broader social plan for families, and I can confirm that work on implementing this measure is at an advanced stage.”

While the initial proposal targets children under 13, the Prime Minister suggested that the scope could be expanded in future. However, he did not provide details on what form the restrictions might take.

The announcement joins calls from the European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee, which recently recommended a blanket ban on social media and AI companion apps for children under 13. The committee also suggested that teenagers aged 14 to 16 should only access social media with parental consent.

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.

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