Momentum pushes for safer digital childhoods on International Day Against Cyberbullying

Momentum pushes for safer digital childhoods on International Day Against Cyberbullying
Calls for a national ban on social media for children under 16

On the occasion of UNESCO’s International Day Against Violence and Bullying at School, including Cyberbullying, Momentum renews its call for a culture of safety, respect and digital wellbeing for every young person. This year’s theme, “Screen Smart: Learning to be Safe in the Digital Era,” reminds us that technology should empower, not endanger, our children.

Momentum affirms its support for a national ban on social media use for children under 16, as in the Australian model. This is necessary to protect childhood, restore balance in young lives, and prioritise mental health and learning over digital dependency.

“Our children deserve the chance to grow, play and learn free from online pressure, comparison and harm,” said Natasha Azzopardi, executive member of Momentum. “This is not about restricting freedom, it’s about giving childhood back to our children. Social media can wait; childhood cannot.”

A positive vision for the future

Momentum believes that protecting children online is not an act of fear, but an act of hope. The party supports a national conversation to:

• Promote digital well-being through age-appropriate technology use and family-led digital literacy.
• Support a ban on social media accounts for under-16s, in line with growing global evidence linking early social media exposure to anxiety, depression, and cyberbullying.
• Collaborate with schools and parents to help children build healthy online habits and focus on real friendships, creativity and learning.
• Empower students as digital citizens, capable of using technology ethically and responsibly as they mature.
• Setting screen-free zones and times, and encouraging offline activities. Promote physical activities, hobbies, and other screen-free interests to ensure a balance
• Educating parents and children about online risks, such as privacy and cyberbullying, and promoting critical thinking.

Ms Azzopardi adds that “This is not about going backwards,  it’s about moving forward wisely in protecting our children from online harm while fostering innovation, empathy, and resilience.”

​​Momentum jenfasizza tfulija diġitali aktar sigura fil-Jum Internazzjonali Kontra Cyberbullying

Jappella għal projbizzjoni nazzjonali tal-midja soċjali għat-tfal taħt is-16-il Sena

Fl-okkażjoni tal-Jum Internazzjonali tal-UNESCO Kontra l-Vjolenza u l-Bullying fl-Iskola, inkluż is-Cyberbullying, Momentum iġedded is-sejħa tiegħu għal kultura ta’ sigurtà, rispett u benesseri diġitali għal kull żagħżugħ/żagħżugħa. It-tema ta’ din is-sena, “Screen Smart: Learning to be Safe in the Digital Era,” tfakkarna li t-teknoloġija għandha tagħti s-setgħa, mhux tipperikola, lit-tfal tagħna.

Momentum tafferma l-appoġġ tagħha għal projbizzjoni nazzjonali fuq l-użu tal-midja soċjali għat-tfal taħt is-16-il sena, bħal fil-mudell Awstraljan. Dan huwa meħtieġ biex tiġi protetta t-tfulija, jiġi restawrat il-bilanċ fil-ħajjiet żgħar, u tingħata prijorità lis-saħħa mentali u t-tagħlim fuq id-dipendenza diġitali.

“It-tfal tagħna jistħoqqilhom iċ-ċans li jikbru, jilagħbu u jitgħallmu ħielsa mill-pressjoni, it-tqabbil u l-ħsara online,” qalet Natasha Azzopardi, membru tal-eżekuttiv ta’ Momentum. “Dan mhux dwar li nirrestrinġu l-libertà, huwa dwar li nagħtu lura t-tfulija lit-tfal tagħna. Il-midja soċjali tista’ tistenna; it-tfulija ma tistax.”

Viżjoni pożittiva għall-ġejjieni

Momentum jemmen li l-protezzjoni tat-tfal online mhijiex att ta’ biża’, iżda att ta’ tama. Il-partit jappoġġja konverżazzjoni nazzjonali biex:

• Jippromwovi l-benesseri diġitali permezz tal-użu tat-teknoloġija xieraq għall-età u litteriżmu diġitali mmexxi mill-familja.
• Jappoġġja projbizzjoni fuq kontijiet tal-midja soċjali għal dawk taħt is-16-il sena, f’konformità mal-evidenza globali dejjem tikber li torbot l-esponiment bikri tal-midja soċjali mal-ansjetà, id-dipressjoni, u cyberbullying.
• Jikkollabora mal-iskejjel u l-ġenituri biex jgħin lit-tfal jibnu drawwiet online tajbin għas-saħħa u jiffoka fuq ħbiberiji reali, kreattività u tagħlim.
• Jagħti s-setgħa lill-istudenti bħala ċittadini diġitali, kapaċi jużaw it-teknoloġija b’mod etiku u responsabbli hekk kif jimmaturaw.
• Jistabbilixxi żoni u ħinijiet ħielsa mill-iskrins, u jħeġġeġ attivitajiet offline. Jippromwovi attivitajiet fiżiċi, passatempi, u interessi oħra ħielsa mill-iskrins biex jiżgura bilanċ.
• Edukazzjoni lill-ġenituri u lit-tfal dwar ir-riskji online bħall-privatezza u cyberbullying, u jħeġġeġ il-ħsieb kritiku.

Is-Sinjura Azzopardi żżid li “Dan mhux dwar li mmorru lura, huwa dwar li nimxu ‘l quddiem bil-għaqal fil-protezzjoni tat-tfal tagħna mill-ħsara online filwaqt li nrawmu l-innovazzjoni, l-empatija, u r-reżiljenza.”

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