Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544087
6 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 27 MARCH 2026 NEWS TWO educational sessions aimed at helping parents navi- gate children's use of technology and social media will be held in Gozo next month, offering guid- ance on managing screen time and understanding digital risks. The sessions, titled "Support- ing Parents in the New Digital Era," are targeted at parents of primary school children and will focus on child development in a technology-driven environ- ment. Topics include the impact of excessive screen use on brain development, how the brain functions, and how parents can strike a healthy balance between technology use and overall de- velopment. Malta's Minister for Gozo, Clint Camilleri, said the initia- tive is intended to equip parents with the tools and knowledge needed to guide their children responsibly in an increasingly digital world. He described the sessions as an important step in addressing new realities faced by families while promoting a bal- anced approach to technology. The sessions are being organ- ised in collaboration with Smart- phone Free Childhood Gozo, a group of parents supporting one another in dealing with the challenges of the digital era. The initiative encourages parents to better prepare children before introducing smartphones or ex- posing them to social media. Co-founder Elaine Pavia Gri- ma said the group promotes early education about the risks of uncontrolled technology use. Through the initiative, parents share experiences and practical solutions, while organising ac- tivities to raise awareness. The group began as a small network of six parents in Janu- ary last year and has since grown significantly, driven by shared experiences and international research suggesting that smart- phone use should be delayed as much as possible. It also aims to reduce social pressure on both parents and children. The sessions will be led by neu- roscientist Erika Galea, who will provide practical advice based on her expertise. They will take place on Wednesday, April 15, and Satur- day, April 18, from 9am to 11am at Sir Arturo Mercieca Primary School Hall. The Saturday ses- sion will repeat the same content to offer flexibility. Participation is free and open to all parents of primary school children in state and church schools. Attendees will also re- ceive a complimentary copy of the book The Amazing Gener- ation. Gozo sessions to guide parents on children's technology use in digital age Footage shows trapper catching and crushing protected bird in Gozo THE Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) has released footage of a man in Gozo catch- ing a protecting bird and stomp- ing it under his boot. On Tuesday, the organisation said that 13 suspected poachers were caught in the past 10 days and dozens of protected birds were confiscated in a joint effort with police. CABS said those involved are expected to face court proceed- ings in the coming months. According to the organisation, 11 people were apprehended by the Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) in Malta, while two others were caught by police in Gozo. The operations led to the seizure of 20 clap-nets and 56 live birds, along with three dead birds. The rescued birds were taken to a government veterinarian and are expected to be released. Meanwhile, the crushed bird in Gozo was identified as a Common kestrel, and is a strict- ly protected species. Once ex- tinct as a breeding species on the islands, kestrels have only recently begun to reappear, with a small number of pairs nesting irregularly. The video also appears to show the suspect attempting to con- ceal evidence and distract police officers as they approached. The organisation criticised what it described as long-stand- ing government inaction on il- legal bird trapping and wildlife crime. It called for an end to existing trapping derogations, arguing that such measures en- able poaching and contribute to the black market trade in wild birds. BirdLife reaction In its reaction, BirdLife Malta condemned the brutal act. "While we have long stated that hunting and trapping wild birds is inherently cruel, what we witnessed today goes far be- yond that. This is not an isolated incident. It once again exposes a deeply troubling reality of in- dividuals who believe they hold absolute power over our natural wildlife - power they abuse to the point of crushing birds un- der their feet until they die. This is cruelty in its purest form. It is not only a conservation issue, but also a serious animal welfare concern that should shock soci- ety as a whole," the NGO said. "We call on the entire nation to stand up and express its dis- gust. This includes the tens of thousands who may feel distant from political decisions that continuously accommodate the hunting and trapping lob- by. Malta has reached a point where respect for nature and basic decency towards wildlife are eroding before our eyes. Let us be clear: this is not tradition. This is not science. This is noth- ing but cruelty, driven by unre- strained egoism and a distorted sense of entitlement." They said the incident strips away any greenwashing at- tempts by the hunting lobby, which in recent years has tried to portray itself as a "communi- ty of animal lovers." "The reality speaks for itself: protected birds are being brutal- ly killed, even Barn Owls - spe- cies they claim to be reintroduc- ing - are being shot by hunters from within the same lobby, while members within their ranks, including council mem- bers, have been found breaking the law by both local and foreign courts," it said. "What happened today is not only a symptom of lack of enforcement, but a direct result of a lobby that has been emboldened by Maltese politi- cians to the extent that it now feels it can act with impunity. Malta deserves better. Our wild- life deserves protection, respect, and dignity—not brutality." The organisation released footage of a man running toward the trapped bird before stomping it under his boot (Photo: CABS) The sessions are being organised in collaboration with Smartphone Free Childhood Gozo, a group of parents supporting one another in dealing with the challenges of the digital era