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NEWS 12 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 13 DECEMBER 2023 This article is part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. This article reflects only the author's view. The action was co-financed by the European Union in the frame of the European Parliament's grant programme in the field of communication. The European Parliament was not involved in its preparation and is, in no case, responsible for or bound by the information or opinions expressed in the context of this action. In accordance with applicable law, the authors, interviewed people, publishers or programme broadcasters are solely responsible. The European Parliament can also not be held liable for direct or indirect damage that may result from the implementation of the action. MATTHEW VELLA mvella@mediatoday.com.mt Sakharov Prize ceremony: MEPs honour Iranian women and memory of Jina Amini Kids' loss of concentration from digital addiction: EP lawmakers demand safeguards MEPS awarded the 2023 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement in Iran. European Parliament Pres- ident Roberta Metsola an- nounced the 2023 laureate in the Strasbourg plenary back in October, following a decision by Parliament's Conference of Presidents. Jina Mahsa Amini was a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman. She was arrested by police in Tehran on 13 Septem- ber 2022 for allegedly ignoring Iran's strict veiling laws, and died in a Tehran hospital three days later following physical abuse while in custody. Her death sparked massive women-led protests in Iran. Under the slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom", they have been protesting against the hijab law and other discriminatory laws. Following the Iranian regime's brutal crackdown on these pro- tests, the European Parliament has repeatedly condemned the dire human rights situation in the country. In October 2022, MEPs called for sanctions against Iranian officials involved in both Jina Mahsa Amini's death and the regime's repression, and ex- pressed their strong support for the peaceful protest move- ment in Iran. In January 2023, MEPs de- manded more sanctions against the Iranian regime and for the EU to place the Islamic Revo- lutionary Guard Corps on its terrorist list. THE European Parliament has called on Brussels to address existing legal gaps and intro- duce new legislation against ad- dictive design in digital games, apps, and social media. In a report supported by 545 MEPs (12 votes against, 61 ab- stentions), MEPs have sound- ed a warning on the addictive nature of online games, social media, streaming services, and online marketplaces, which exploit users' vulnerabilities to capture their attention and monetise their data. Now they will tell the Euro- pean Commission to increase consumer protection through safer alternatives, even if these are not as profitable for social media platforms. The European Commission is currently evaluating the need to update certain con- sumer protection legislation to ensure a high level of pro- tection in the digital envi- ronment, with results are ex- pected in 2024. Parliament's report will feed into this on- going fitness check. "No self-discipline can beat Big Tech's tricks, fuelled by armies of designers and psy- chologists to keep you glued to your screen," said Dutch MEP Kim Van Sparrentak (Greens). "If we do not act now, this will have an impact on the mental health and brain development of generations to come. To- day, the European Parliament sends a strong signal: the EU has to be the first in the world to tackle the addictive design of online services." Acknowledging the positive effect social media can have on society, MEPs are concerned about the physical, psycholog- ical and material harm addic- tive design can have, including loss of concentration and cog- nitive ability, burnout, stress, depression, limited physical activity. "They are particularly wor- ried about the prolonged im- pact on minors' health, and want more research on the risks related to online servic- es," said Van Sparrentak. Problematic smartphone or internet use has been linked to lower life satisfaction and mental health symptoms such as depression, low self-esteem, anxiety, lack of sleep and ob- sessive-compulsive behaviour, with children and young peo- ple the most vulnerable. Young people aged 16-24 spend an average of over sev- en hours a day on the internet, with one in four displaying problematic smartphone use resembling addiction. If not addressed, Van Spar- rentak and supporting MEPs said, Parliament should use its right of legislative initiative. The report voted on Tuesday now calls for an assessment and a ban on harmful addic- tive techniques not covered by the directive on Unfair Commercial Practice, such as infinite scroll, default auto play, constant push and read receipt notifications. Highlighting the lack of trans- parency consumers and enforc- ers experience on online servic- es, MEPs also said companies should be obliged to develop ethical and fair digital products and services "by design" with- out dark patterns, misleading, or addictive design. To mitigate the addictive nature of platforms and em- power consumers, the Com- mission is urged to present a digital "right not to be dis- turbed". MEPs also want the Com- mission to create a list of good design practices like "think before you share", turning off notifications by default, chronological feeds, greyscale mode, automatic locks, and total screen time summaries. They also propose aware- ness-raising campaigns to cul- tivate safer and healthier on- line habits. MEPs honour the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement in Iran in Sakharov Prize ceremony Problematic smartphone or internet use has been linked to lower life satisfaction and mental health symptoms, with children being the most vulnerable