Catholic college backs proposed under-16 social media ban

Education Minister Erica Stanford is commissioning advice and exploring options for legislation and implementation with the goal of putting them before Cabinet for consideration.

A member’s bill by Catherine Wedd earlier this year proposed banning social media for those under 16. But it did not get support from the ACT Party, one of the coalition partners in the Government, and has yet to be drawn from Parliament’s ballot.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Ms Stanford’s work would lead to a Government bill that he would like to see become law before the end of the current parliamentary term. He would need his coalition partners to agree for that to happen, the New Zealand Herald reported.

The John Paul College board sent a submission letter on the proposal to change the law in this area. The board expressed strong support for the proposed change to ban access to social media platforms for those under 16 years of age.

“As educators, parents and community leaders, we are increasingly alarmed by the harmful impacts of social media on the well-being, learning and safety of our young people,” the letter stated.

“We are pleased that the Government has recently implemented a ban on mobile phone use in schools. At John Paul College, we have observed noticeable and positive changes in student behaviour, engagement and interpersonal relationships since its introduction. There is a marked increase in face-to-face interaction, calmer social environments during breaks and more focused classroom participation.

“However, this progress is undermined by the continued influence of social media beyond school gates. A national age limit would ensure a level playing field for all students, helping to reset the cultural norms and peer pressures that currently pervade digital life.”

The letter mentioned adolescent mental health, academic, cognitive and emotional impacts, exposure to harmful and inappropriate content, cyberbullying and social harms, as well as youth and community calls for change.

Among the board’s recommendations were requiring robust age verification systems by social media companies and funding schools to implement digital literacy and resilience programmes.

“The evidence is clear: social media poses serious and escalating risks to the psychological and social development of under-16s. We stand alongside parents, educators and health professionals across Aotearoa in calling for this action now,” the letter concluded.

FULL STORY

Submission by John Paul College board on proposed social media ban for u16s (NZ Parliament)

Social media restrictions for under-16s: Work to be part of Government’s agenda (New Zealand Herald)