This report presents findings from the 2024 European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) conducted among 15- to 16-year-old secondary school students in Malta. The report includes findings on the prevalence, patterns, and long-term trends of substance use as well as emerging behavioural trends on social media use, digital gaming, and gambling. Almost all adolescents (around 94%) reported using social media in the past 7 days. On typical school days, students average 2 to 3 hours on social media, rising up to 6+ hours on non-school days. Approximately 80% of students reported playing digital games in the last 30 days. Around 70% played on a typical school day, while 77% played on non-school days. Students reported significantly higher rates of self-perceived problematic/high-risk behaviour related to social media use than to digital gaming.
Host project: European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD)
Methodology
The study forms part of the international ESPAD project, using a standardised cross-sectional quantitative methodology. Data collection took place in 2024 using a synchronised, self-administered questionnaire distributed in educational institutions across Malta. The target population comprised students turning 16 during the survey year (born in 2008). Standardised sampling, strict field procedures, and uniform data-cleaning protocols were implemented to maintain comparability across previous national survey waves (1995–2024) and with other participating European countries.
Country or region of researched population
Malta
Citation
Arpa, S., Galdes, V., & Dimech, S. (2025). European school survey project on alcohol and other drugs (ESPAD): 2024 Malta national report. Foundation for Social Welfare Services.
Record created:
30 July 2026
This report presents findings from the 2024 European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) conducted among 15- to 16-year-old secondary school students in Malta. The report includes findings on the prevalence, patterns, and long-term trends of substance use as well as emerging behavioural trends on social media use, digital gaming, and gambling. Almost all adolescents (around 94%) reported using social media in the past 7 days. On typical school days, students average 2 to 3 hours on social media, rising up to 6+ hours on non-school days. Approximately 80% of students reported playing digital games in the last 30 days. Around 70% played on a typical school day, while 77% played on non-school days. Students reported significantly higher rates of self-perceived problematic/high-risk behaviour related to social media use than to digital gaming.
Host project: European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD)
Methodology
The study forms part of the international ESPAD project, using a standardised cross-sectional quantitative methodology. Data collection took place in 2024 using a synchronised, self-administered questionnaire distributed in educational institutions across Malta. The target population comprised students turning 16 during the survey year (born in 2008). Standardised sampling, strict field procedures, and uniform data-cleaning protocols were implemented to maintain comparability across previous national survey waves (1995–2024) and with other participating European countries.
Country or region of researched population
Malta
Citation
Arpa, S., Galdes, V., & Dimech, S. (2025). European school survey project on alcohol and other drugs (ESPAD): 2024 Malta national report. Foundation for Social Welfare Services.
Record created:
30 July 2026- social media adolescence risky behaviours
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