'Boy wore a nappy to stay online': Experts reveal social media dependency

A psychologist has revealed extreme cases of children’s social media dependency, including a boy who refused to leave his room and wore a nappy to stay online.

Another expert warned that many parents knowingly lie about their children’s ages to help them access social media platforms before turning 13.

These stories emerged during a conference on social media safety, where a technical committee was announced to analyse and make recommendations on regulating social media use among children under 14.

The committee, announced by Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms Rebecca Buttigieg, will include University of Malta researcher in AI Ethics Rev. Dr Jean Gové, digital marketing strategist Glen Sultana, technology and marketing consultant Martina Mallia, Prof Matthew Montebello, Head of AI Department at the University of Malta and legal consultant Dr Josianne Cutajar.

Buttigieg said the committee, which will be set up in the coming weeks, will analyse current realities, consult stakeholders, review existing research, and then make recommendations on the way forward. This initiative, she added, forms part of the government’s Vision 2050 - a national plan shaping Malta’s long-term development.

“We are not here to control people’s lives, but it is our duty to protect the most vulnerable, such as children. Any reform must ensure that the right to freedom of expression is not affected,” Buttigieg said.

She was speaking during a conference on social media titled 'Big Tech, Bigger Impact: Can We Make Social Media Safe for Everyone?' Organised by Times of Malta in collaboration with the Parliamentary Secretariat for Equality and Reforms, the event brought together experts and professionals at the Grand Hotel Excelsior.

Concerns about overuse and mental health

AI specialist Matthew Galea said media platforms are designed to make money by keeping people engaged, often through extreme content.

Clinical psychologist and sexologist Nicholas Briffa questioned what young people are seeking online that they are not finding in real life. He observed that parents today face the opposite problem from the past - children no longer want to leave the house.

Panelists discussed the various aspects of social media. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

“I had a case of a woman whose son wore a nappy so he wouldn’t have to leave his room," he said, stressing that this was a one-off. "Parents are confused. As a country, are we offering spaces where young people can socialise? Do parents have time for their children? Are we taking enough responsibility to balance our careers and our roles as parents? We need to reflect on this reality," he said.

Briffa cited the example of a Gozitan mother who joined forces with other parents to set common household rules on social media use and to organise group activities. He said empowering parents was essential.

The science behind social media use

Behaviour analyst Natasha Attard said social media is not a place for children, describing it as an adult tool. She said today’s youth are more depressed, anxious, and isolated than previous generations, and questioned the quality of the social experiences they have online.

“There is nothing on social media that truly benefits children - they are not researching or learning. What are they doing online, and what are they not doing instead?”

Attard noted a 75% increase in ADHD diagnoses compared to 10 years ago, as children struggle to focus. This, she explained, is due to the dopamine surge they get from social media, which makes the rest of the world feel boring.

She added that 13 - the minimum age for most platforms - is the most vulnerable stage, as children are entering puberty. Research indicates that 16 is a safer age for social media use. “There are reasons why we are seeing higher rates of anxiety, suicidal ideation, and hospitalisation for self-harm,” she said.

The role of parents and platforms

BSmartOnline’s Deborah Vassallo disagreed that social media has no benefits, highlighting the importance of social connections. However, she stressed that parental supervision is crucial.

“We cannot give our children such a powerful tool and leave them unmonitored. There need to be boundaries and oversight by adults and the platforms themselves,” she said.

Vassallo noted that many children - sometimes with their parents’ knowledge - lie about their age to access social media, even though they are under 13. “This happens frequently, and it’s something we need to address,” she added.

Content creator Danita Camilleri, known as One Chick and a Yorkie, also said social media can have benefits by fostering connection and community.

Asked about including her child in her content, she said she aims to support others by showing her daily reality. “I have a realistic platform that is my daily job - I can’t hide my child from my life  - but sometimes I question whether I’m doing the right thing,” she said, stressing that this was not a black-or-white situation as social media had it benefits and risks.

Calls for more parental involvement 

Commissioner for Children Antoinette Vassallo said she was less concerned about technology itself and more worried about the absence of parents in children’s lives.

“Many children say they wish they could spend more time with their parents. Adults also need the skills to handle social media themselves,” she said.

Commissioner on Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence Samantha Pace Gasan agreed, saying that parents often struggle to find time for their children as they juggle expectations, jobs, and the “double shift” of work and home life. “Unless the issue of work-life balance is addressed, the situation cannot change,” she said.

EU perspective: Stronger digital protections needed

Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, noted that data shows one in six children in Europe is a victim of cyberbullying, while one in eight admits to engaging in online bullying.

He spoke about ongoing EU-level work to regulate digital platforms, facilitate the reporting of cyberbullying, and strengthen collaboration with trusted flaggers and artificial intelligence systems.

Micallef emphasised the need for stronger laws to protect children in the digital world and proposed exploring the use of digital identity wallets linked to online profiles to help reduce abuse from fake accounts.