Most New Zealanders support banning young children from social media, according to a new poll.
University of Auckland researcher Dr Samantha Marsh said “So many parents have said to me that they would welcome a ban. Kids are more vulnerable to the adverse effects – and they’re more drawn to it.” she said.
The Horizon Research survey revealed that over three-quarters of respondents believe parents should ensure online safety, with 70% assigning responsibility to social media companies and 56% to the Government.
Concerns about social media include inappropriate content (73%), cyberbullying (75%), mental health impacts (69%), and sextortion exposure (66%). Only 5% reported no concerns.
Dr Marsh compared social media to harmful products like tobacco or alcohol, arguing that a blanket ban would make it easier for parents to manage their children’s behaviour: “It’s like [a] full-time job almost. Kids are on it for hours and hours a day … it’s a really hard behaviour to monitor.”
Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden, however, ruled out age restrictions, noting the Government’s existing ban on mobile phones during school hours. “This gives our kids six hours of the day where they are not accessing social media,” she said.
Therapist Jo Robertson expressed concern about grooming and exploitation on social media. “Building relationships online, thinking that those are authentic, being groomed from a young age, distributing sexual content,” she said.