WELLINGTON, May 16 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand experts are raising concerns about a proposed law to ban children under 16 from accessing social media, warning that the move may overlook deeper, systemic issues behind online harms.
A New Zealand lawmaker earlier this month called for legislation to ban children under 16 from accessing social media, a move that would follow Australia's push to tighten digital regulations.
Andre Mason, a clinical psychology lecturer at the University of Waikato, said a blanket ban might reduce exposure but doesn't equip young people for the digital world they'll eventually enter.
The issue goes beyond just social media. Social media has both positive and negative consequences, but from a mental health perspective, it likely belongs in a broader conversation about overall smartphone use, Mason said.
Cassandra Mudgway, a senior law lecturer at the University of Canterbury, highlighted the real risks facing young users.
"Young people under 16 face serious harms on social media, including cyberbullying, image-based abuse (like revenge porn or sexualized deepfakes), and exposure to violent or hateful content," Mudgway said.
She said the proposed social media ban failed to address the root of the problem. "The proposal is a misdirection; it focuses on restricting access rather than addressing the systemic failures of social media platforms to protect users from harm."
Samantha Marsh, a senior research fellow at the University of Auckland, said any meaningful change requires a long-term, public health approach.
She noted the failure to enforce existing age limits. "In New Zealand, most social media platforms currently have a minimum age requirement of 13. However, the current age restriction is not enforced, meaning many children gain access to social media well before 13."
Marsh said stronger age verification could be a step forward. "The proposed policy change, however, will require platforms to implement stricter age verification processes, finally making the minimum age limit a standard that can be upheld, not just suggested."
But Marsh warned that relying on tech companies to change may not be enough. "Social media platforms are profit-driven, and their business models often depend on maximizing user engagement, especially among young people. This makes meaningful reform unlikely if it threatens their profit margins." ■
