Business leaders weigh in on Malta’s proposed social media age restrictions

Prime Minister Robert Abela announced last weekend that Malta will introduce regulations to limit children’s access to social media, with an initial restriction for those under 13 that could later be extended to older age groups.

The measure, he said, is aimed at protecting children from the harmful effects of social media, referencing a mother’s testimony about her daughter’s tragic experience with online bullying.

While the proposal has sparked national discussion, fathers and local business leaders say that age limits alone may not be enough to address the complex relationship between young people and social media.

Jonathan Dalli, Founder and CEO of Concept Stadium, believes that discussions on age restrictions should also go hand in hand with promoting responsible content creation online. “In my opinion, besides discussing age limits, we should also discuss, in parallel, responsible content on social media,” he tells MaltaCEOs.mt. “Whilst creative freedom is preserved, content creation to factor in social responsibility should also be factored in.”

Speaking as both a business leader and a parent, Mr Dalli added that digital literacy should be a key part of Malta’s education system. “As a father, given that even children are exposed to social media at a young age, digital literacy in schools should be embedded in our curriculum,” he continued. “We should stop looking at social media as a ‘waste of time’. Just like AI, we need to see this as a digital enabler to education.”

He also urged policymakers to consult with industry professionals when drafting such regulations. “My advice to policymakers is to engage with content specialists as they are working with social media on a daily basis, from both a content creation point of view but more importantly from being exposed to the various stakeholders in the industry.”

Another CEO, who wished to remain anonymous, supported the idea of introducing age limits for social media use, describing restrictions as a necessary measure to protect children. “Priority is to restrict social media, basic phone use; contacting parents should be kept,” they say. However, they also note that education and family engagement must play a stronger role. “We definitely need more education in this space, also we need to spend quality time with kids,” they share, explaining that long hours and limited after-school options often lead children to spend more time on their devices. “Some schools do [offer after-school activities] but if you take these up there is no transport available anymore.”

For Jonathan Shaw, Partner at Hatten M&A Advisory, the issue is more nuanced. While he recognises the dangers of excessive social media exposure for young users, he cautions against blanket bans. “This is a complex issue,” he says. “While the intention behind introducing social media age limits is right, the way to achieve it is far from simple.”

Mr Shaw points out that all major platforms already set a minimum age of 13 in their terms of use, but these policies are rarely enforced. “The problem isn’t the lack of rules; it’s that they’re not properly enforced,” he explained. “These platforms rely entirely on self-declared ages, so it’s easy for children to bypass restrictions with no real verification in place. The issue is not the children, it’s the lack of enforcement technology and parental oversight.”

He adds that rather than banning access entirely, a more effective approach would be to combine education, parental involvement, and stronger accountability from platforms. “Digital life is now part of real life. Adults use social media to work, communicate, and connect, and children inevitably mirror those habits. A blanket ban risks being too rigid and disconnected from how families actually live today.”

“Rather than banning, I’d prefer a balanced and educated approach: limit and guide use, supported by digital literacy for both kids and parents, and stronger accountability from platforms,” Mr Shaw concludes. “Ultimately, sensible regulation can help, but responsibility still begins at home.”