Just a few weeks ago, you couldn’t get a whisper from the Government about banning under-16s from social media. Now, there's a full-blown commitment to have a law in place by next year.
The catalyst? A relentless group of concerned academics, businesspeople, and parents who dragged the Government out of its coma. Good on them, because the issue has been staring us in the face for years while politicians twiddled their thumbs.
Look across the ditch. Australia saw the problem and acted. A bipartisan ban comes into effect this December. It’s a rare case of politics taking a back seat for the greater good.
Why are we always late to the party here in New Zealand? Did no one in Parliament notice how social media has gripped and warped our teenagers? Have they spoken to their own kids or grandkids lately? Apparently not. Depression, bullying, suicide rates – all linked to the social media machine, yet it took a lobby group to hammer this message home.
But, hey, better late than never. Hats off to Christopher Luxon and co for jumping onboard, albeit belatedly. “We need to protect our kids online,” Luxon said. It’s the right sentiment, though it shouldn’t have required a battering ram of public pressure to get us here.
Social Media’s Stranglehold on Young Minds
If you’re a parent, you don’t need me to explain how social media has hijacked our teenagers. It’s more than just frustrating; it’s downright frightening. Look around. Kids barely look up from their screens anymore. They’re communicating through emojis, half-formed sentences, and a language so cryptic even hieroglyphics seem straightforward in comparison.
Worse, social media isn’t just a distraction; it’s a dangerous force.
Study after study has shown its impact on mental health. It’s an addiction, plain and simple, one that fosters anxiety, isolation, and, in some cases, devastating outcomes. Imagine a tool so harmful that it steals kids’ ability to experience the world in its natural, tangible form. And we, as parents and as a society, have stood by and watched it happen.
My Social Media Wake-Up Call
Nine years ago, I made the decision to ditch social media. It wasn’t easy, but it saved my sanity and probably my career. I was deep in the rabbit hole – arguing with strangers online, obsessively checking comments, and losing hours of my life to pointless digital spats.
One particularly ridiculous day, I spent three hours crafting a response to someone who insulted me online. I missed a work meeting and ignored phone calls because of it. My boss literally had to knock on my door to snap me out of it.
That was my wake-up call. I deleted my accounts, stepped away from the chaos, and started living again.
I joined a gym, took up fishing, and even walked the Tongariro Crossing. It was liberating, life-changing. I didn’t miss a thing. And honestly, I became a better person without constantly being plugged into the toxic loop of social media.
Last year, I went 20 days without a phone while filming Celebrity Treasure Island. You know what I missed? Nothing. Sure, I couldn’t call my family, but the rest? Completely unnecessary. Without phones and social media, we formed genuine connections. We listened to each other, shared stories, and built real friendships. There was no barrier, no distractions. It proved that life without constant digital noise is not only possible but deeply fulfilling.
Protecting the Next Generation
The argument for banning under-16s from social media isn’t about rejecting technology. It’s about recognizing that young brains aren’t built to handle the barrage of information, images, and messages hurtling at them every second.
Waiting a little longer before handing them the digital keys won’t hurt. In fact, it might save them from years of unnecessary stress, anxiety, and self-doubt.
And if this ban hits social media companies where it hurts? Good. They’re not exactly bastions of ethics and wholesome values. Their profit-driven models thrive off addiction and manipulation, so forgive me if I don’t shed a tear for their bottom lines.
But here’s the catch. A ban isn’t enough. We, as parents, need to step up. It’s hypocritical to preach about the dangers of screens while glued to ours 24/7. Kids watch what we do, not what we say. If we want better for them, we need to lead by example. That means setting boundaries, being present, and showing them there’s a vibrant world beyond the glowing rectangles.
The Path Forward
This isn’t a political issue, and it can’t become one. New Zealand needs to follow Australia’s lead and enforce this ban swiftly, without the muck of party politics. Kids’ wellbeing should never be a bargaining chip.
Sure, David Seymour might resist for now, but I suspect it’s only a matter of time before reality sets in.
This is a crisis, and sometimes you need blunt tools for tough problems. If all else fails, we can just copy what the Aussies are doing. No shame in that.
Social media has held our kids hostage for far too long. It’s time to reclaim their childhoods, their mental health, and their futures. It might feel like an uphill battle, but it’s one worth fighting. Together, we can actually get this right.
Come on, New Zealand. Back this. Be part of the change.
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