A social media expert’s thoughts on the proposed social media ban for under 16s in NZ

Should NZ Ban Social Media for Under-16s? Here’s What I Think.

Do I think kids should be protected from toxic content, cyberbullying, and doomscrolling?
Yes, absolutely.

Do I think a government-imposed ban is the way to do it?
Not really.

Let’s unpack why.

The good intentions behind the bill:

There are some potential upsides to restricting under-16s from using social media:

• Reduced distractions from constant scrolling and comparison traps

• More offline experiences and play (a “real” childhood)

• Less exposure to inappropriate content & grooming

• Legal backing for parents when explaining to children why they can’t use social media

Sounds reasonable on paper. But when you look closer at the proposed bill, it brings up some serious concerns:

Where the bill starts to fall apart:

1. Age verification opens a can of worms:
The bill doesn’t specify how age verification should happen. Right now, there are only two real options:

• Facial recognition AI, which is unreliable and often biased

• Government-issued ID upload, which affects everyone, not just under-16s

Neither option is reliable right now, and both come with major privacy and surveillance risks. The more “secure” the system, the more intrusive it becomes - for ALL of us: potential data breaches, misuse of biometric info, and platform overreach through third-party services…

2. It assumes that exclusion is protection
The bill is built on the idea: keep kids off social media, and you’ve solved the problem.

But in practice? That’s not how the internet works.

• It relies on platforms enforcing the ban (because they’ll be fined if they don’t)

• It assumes teens won’t use VPNs, fake birthdays, or second accounts - despite the fact that they’ve been doing that for years

Let’s be honest: banning social media is like enforcing celibacy for the internet age. And we all know how well that approach worked. 🙃

Worse, it ignores the deeper issues: lack of digital literacy, peer pressure, poor mental health support, and the addictive design of all digital apps - not just social media.

3. It shifts responsibility to platforms
Instead of supporting parents and schools with education and tools, it hands off the job of protecting kids to overseas, multi-billion-dollar social media companies. That’s not where the long-term solution lies.

4. It treats all platforms as the same
There’s no nuance in the bill. It doesn’t differentiate between Instagram, Discord, WhatsApp, or LinkedIn.

But kids use these platforms for very different reasons:
– Connecting with caregivers via free Wi-Fi messaging
– Joining hobby groups or school communities
– Seeking out support networks, especially if they’re queer, disabled, or neurodivergent

A blanket ban is a blunt instrument - and it assumes a level of privilege that doesn’t reflect all families.

5. It risks increasing isolation
Banning teens from social media could cut them off from the very communities they rely on for emotional and social support. Especially for those already marginalised, this could do more harm than good.

6. It restricts access to knowledge
Not everything on social media is shallow. Plenty of kids use platforms like YouTube, Reddit, and even TikTok to explore:

• Science

• Art

• Mental health education

• Historical content

• Tutorials and study help

Remove access entirely, and you’re cutting off a huge source of learning and self-discovery.

7. It delays media literacy instead of teaching it
Social media isn’t going anywhere. It’s part of life in the 21st century.

Blocking access doesn’t teach young people how to use it well - it just postpones their learning. And when they do get online (because they will), they’ll be unprepared.

8. And let’s not forget: extremism thrives on ignorance
A generation that isn’t taught to critically evaluate media is much easier to influence. Media literacy isn’t just a “nice to have” - it’s a safeguard against manipulation. Something extremists love to exploit - something to think about 👀

So what’s a better approach?

Rather than banning access outright, we should be focusing on education, support, and better tools. That means:

• Teaching digital literacy in schools, starting early

• Equipping parents and caregivers to manage screen time and have open conversations

• Encouraging platforms to expand on “teen accounts” with limited DMs, screen time prompts, and curated feeds

• Funding tools that work with families, not blanket rules that ignore lived reality

Building a safer online world isn’t about locking the doors, it’s about teaching them how to navigate it safely & with confidence.

H x