Source: Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission
The debate over restricting under-16 year olds from social media is moving quickly, but the voices of those most affected must be a part of whatever comes next.
Following the Government’s announcement of a proposed under-16 social media ban, Te Hiringa Mahara is urging decision-makers to ask a critical question: if we are taking social media away, what are we giving young people instead?
“Young people have told us they want online spaces to be safer, but they’ve also said there is more to be lost if a blanket ban is imposed,” says Te Hiringa Mahara Director of Wellbeing System Leadership & Insights, Dr Ella Cullen.
“Two things can be true. Social media can expose young people to harm, and it can also be where they find connection, identity, peer support and belonging. We need to make sure we are not making things worse for those with a disability or in rural areas or our rainbow rangatahi, who do rely on online spaces for connection and belonging. Young people deserve safer online spaces, but they also deserve to be part of the solution.
“If we are to meaningfully address the drivers of psychological distress for young people, which is rising across the motu, then we need to bring young people into the conversation, not just make decisions about them.
Over the past three years, Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission has worked with rangatahi and young people to understand the drivers of mental health and wellbeing, including their online experiences. Their feedback points to a need for safer digital environments that do not remove that connection and support so many rangatahi rely on for their wellbeing.
“We can, and should, look overseas and learn from other jurisdictions. In Australia early evidence shows that the social media ban is not as effective as expected. But we also have a wealth of knowledge on our own shores, in the form of those young people who will live with the consequences of these decisions.
“Safe online spaces can support wellbeing, reduce loneliness, and help young people stay connected to friends, peer communities, and support when they need it. At the same time, harms such as cyberbullying and exposure to self-harm, eating disorder, and other harmful content can contribute to distress.
“It is good to see stronger regulation of social media platforms, including risk assessment and reporting, penalties for tech companies who fail to comply with safety measures, inclusion of AI into a regulatory framework and establishing an independent online safety regulator.
“But regulation must be matched with accessible digital literacy and critical thinking education across Aotearoa, alongside resources for parents, whānau, and guardians to support safer online experiences and stronger conversations about online harm.
“We cannot expect any single measure, such as a social media ban, to address rising psychological distress among young people without also tackling the wider drivers of poor mental health. Young people want action on harm, but they also want connection, peer-support and belonging to be protected. That starts by listening to them,” says Dr Cullen.
Read our submission to the Education and Workforce Select Committee: Inquiry into the harm young New Zealanders encounter online, and the roles that Government, business, and society should play in addressing those harms (July 2025)