The government are investigating introducing a Bill to Parliament which will ban under 16s from social media, but with the onus on the big tech companies to verify the age of those signing up to their platform.

The feedback around this issue has been mixed with some parties believing that it is high time we took this issue in hand, others believing that it is a simplistic idea that cannot possibly be policed.

It is a fascinating debate, and there really is no easy solution – our taiohi (youth) have grown up online, the digital space is very much a huge part of how they socialise, communicate, search for information and learn so it is unavoidable that they will be interacting online.

Last year, more than half of the respondents to the Y’s Youth Survey recognised excessive social media use negatively impacts their wellbeing, though they perceive the effect as minor. However, the contradiction arises when “social media addiction” ranks as the fourth-highest issue affecting their overall wellbeing. Clearly, many taiohi are wrestling with a love-hate relationship with their screens.

Social media has its up and down sides for our taiohi.  On the one hand it opens a world of investigation, community and a sense of belonging, and on the other it can lead to bullying, poor self-esteem and a whole world of misinformation.

As caregivers and parents encouraging and teaching our taiohi safe online practice should be a priority.  Online we can “unfriend” people who are making us feel unhappy or unsafe, we need also need to teach the taiohi that not all information you see online is accurate or even real.  If your child is involved in chat groups for any reason, letting them know that if they are witnessing behaviours that make them unhappy or feel unsafe – that is perfectly okay to remove yourself from that situation. Education is the first step, and this must begin at home.

Parental controls are software tools that allow parents to monitor and restrict what their children do online and are available on all smart phones. These controls can be used to filter content, manage screen time, and limit access to certain websites and apps. They can also help protect tamariki from inappropriate content and ensure they are using the internet safely. 

As a parent or caregiver, understanding such controls are vital to keeping your child safe online, along with regular monitoring of the device – where are your children going online?  We don’t allow our children to head off in the physical world without knowing where they are going and who they are going with, so making it normal that you or another trusted adult will be checking out their devices randomly and regularly – not to “spy” but to ensure their safety and well-being is a must. Whatever your opinion in this space, the good thing about this bill is the conversation is now becoming more widespread and hopefully parents and caregivers are beginning to observe their own children’s habits online.