Mellieħa Vice Mayor Starts Petition For Social Media Restrictions For Under 16’s

Matthew Borg Cuschieri, the Vice Mayor of Mellieħa, has started a petition calling for social media restrictions for under 16 year olds.

‘By introducing a social media ban for under-16s, Malta can create a safer online environment, protect children's wellbeing, and ensure that technology supports healthy development rather than harming it’, the petition explained.

‘Social media platforms should verify users' ages and prevent children under 16 from creating accounts. Companies that fail to enforce the law should face penalties. This will help protect young people from online harm, cyberbullying, and addiction while supporting their mental wellbeing and education.’

He made reference to the $18 billion court settlement Meta had to pay for the damages being done on kids’ wellbeing in the US through lowly restricted social media use.

Borg Cuschieri also referred to other countries which have either already or are working on introducing bans and restrictions, urging Malta to follow in those footsteps and potentially even lead with a robust reform.

You can find the petition here.

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