Maltese Parents Among Least Worried In Europe About Screen Time

Maltese parents are among the least concerned in Europe when it comes to the impact of screen time on young people, according to a new EU-wide study on adolescents, social media and mental health.

The Eurobarometer survey found that across the European Union, 51% of parents believe screens have a negative impact on young people, compared to 29% of adolescents. However, parental criticism was among the lowest in Malta, alongside Luxembourg, Denmark and Ireland.

The study also found that Maltese teenagers spend less time on screens during weekends than most of their European peers. While the EU average stood at 6.1 hours per day, Maltese adolescents reported an average of around 5.1 hours. Only Luxembourg and Cyprus recorded lower figures.

Malta also ranked first in the EU for parental awareness of negative online experiences. More than half of Maltese parents said their child had informed them about a negative online incident, while others said they found out through third parties or discovered it themselves.

The study also found that Maltese adolescents were among the most likely in Europe to seek professional support, such as counsellors or psychologists, to protect their mental well-being when using social media.

Do you think children spend too much time on screens?

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Ali Demirci

Ali is a Social Media Executive at Lovin Malta, covering arts, current affairs, and youth stories. With a background in International Relations and performing, he focuses on clear, engaging content that connects with people.

Email: [email protected] | Insta: @ali_kanay_demirci