STRASBOURG, 12 May 2025 – The Minister for Social Policy and Children’s Rights of Malta, Hon. Dr Michael Falzon, addressed the Opening Session of the 2025 edition of the European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG), held at the Hemicycle of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. Organised by the Council of Europe in collaboration with the Luxembourg Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, this year’s conference convened under the theme “Safeguarding human rights by balancing regulation and innovation”, aimed to bring together key stakeholders to shape inclusive digital policies that uphold democratic values and fundamental rights.
In his speech, Minister Falzon underscored the urgent need to govern the digital space in a manner that protects the rights and well-being of all users—especially the most vulnerable. He reflected on the original promise of the internet as a space of connection, empowerment, and boundless knowledge. Yet, he noted, it has also evolved into a space where disinformation, hate speech, privacy violations, and digital exploitation are increasingly prevalent.
Minister Falzon placed particular emphasis on children’s rights in the digital environment. “The best interest of the child should always be the primary consideration” he stated, “and their protection is not only a legal obligation but also a moral responsibility and imperative.” He highlighted the pressing need for digital governance frameworks that hold online service providers accountable and prioritise the best interests of children.
He stressed that strong, principled internet governance must be grounded in the fundamental values of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law—the foundational pillars of the Council of Europe. The Minister argued that governance is about setting clear rules: on the use and protection of data, especially that of minors; on acceptable content standards; and on the accountability of digital platforms for the harms they cause – or fail to prevent.
Minister Falzon called for a collective and coordinated response against digital threats that transcend national borders, advocating for multilateral collaboration and comprehensive engagement among governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector. He underscored the importance of investing in digital citizenship education across all age groups, starting from an early age, to cultivate resilience, critical thinking, and responsible online behaviour.
Looking ahead to Malta’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of Europe, Minister Falzon announced that Malta will mark the 15th anniversary of the Lanzarote Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse with a high-level Ministerial Conference in Valletta. The event will focus on strengthening legal and technological safeguards against online child abuse, enhancing cross-border cooperation, and promoting digital literacy and meaningful participation by children.
The opening of the conference was also addressed by several distinguished speakers, including the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr Alain Berset, the Minister of Justice of Luxembourg, Hon. Elisabeth Margue; the Secretary General of the EuroDIG Support Association, Ms Sandra Hoferichter; and its President, Mr Thomas Schneider.
Minister Falzon concluded by reaffirming Malta’s steadfast commitment to child protection, digital rights, and multilateral dialogue. “We must not wait for harm to dictate our actions,” he affirmed. “It remains crucial that we continue collaborating and engaging to explore ways how we can harness digital public good, counter harmful and abusive online content, discuss policies to ensure that the internet remains open, inclusive, and most of all secure – particularly for our children.”
