Pasifika leaders, influencers weigh in on proposed social media ban for under 16s

As the New Zealand government considers restricting social media access for under-16s, Pacific leaders in Parliament and online influencers are weighing in with a mix of views, ranging from cautious support to concern, and even strong opposition.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced on Sunday that Cabinet will consider a social media ban for under-16s, despite opposition from coalition partner ACT.

He expressed concern about the harm social media can cause young New Zealanders, suggesting that restricting access for under-16s would help protect them from bullying, harmful content, and addiction.

"I talked to parents, I talked to teachers, I talked to principals and they are all struggling with actually the harm that social media is causing our kids," Luxon said.

Labour's Pacific peoples spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni said they were pleased the government listened when they told them it should be a government bill not a private member's bill.

Sepuloni said as a mother she shared concerns about online safety for her children in the new digital age.

She said that many Pacific people had created safe spaces online for their communities.

However, increased time spent on these platforms raised the risk of unsolicited harm, which understandably fuelled many parents' fears.

Among Pacific social media influencers, the response is more critical.

RNZ Pacific spoke to three prominent influencers all of whom said the government's focus might be misplaced.

Social media content creator and broadcaster Regan Foai, who hosts Niu FM's breakfast show, is a parent himself and he said the government should invest in more significant issues.

"I'll double down on the fact that I do feel that the money that is being put into this should be put into other places in this country," Foai told RNZ Pacific.

"There's a lot of things going on at the moment, and I feel for the people that are struggling on the ground here.

"I do feel like it's a parent's responsibility to help their children navigate the social media world, and I do worry in that space where, if the government tell you, 'Hey, we're putting a ban, your kids can't go on social media'.

"What's next after that? They're going to tell us how to feed our kids. Once you put that ban in place, it kind of opens up a gate to a whole bunch of other things," he said.

Hana Matauaina Vaai Schmidt, a mother and presenter of Bluwave's Breaking Waves Podcast, said it was a good idea, but she pointed out similar initiatives were failing in other countries.

"When I heard this, the first thing I thought was 'the intention is good, but will it work?'

"We've seen other countries try to apply the same law but children and youth have just found a way around to accessing social media tools," Schmidt said.

"It is a good thing we're identifying that this is a problem in New Zealand, and we're working towards a solution.

"But I think more consultation needs to be done on whether putting the investment or money into this solution will actually work and if it will provide a better outcome for our communities."

Comic artist Michael Mulipola, better known as 'Bloody Samoan' on his online platforms, echoed similar sentiments.

However, he said for him it was an educational thing.

"It's almost kind of plugging a leak with a piece of sellotape," Mulipola said.

"It's a temporary kind of measure and a short-sighted one too because our youth, the last two generations of youth, their existence is in the online space. That's where they find friendship, that's where they find connection."

He said the drawback was it was also where you could find harassment and online trolls, which he had had first-hand experience with himself.

"I feel like it should be more about education around how to deal with those kind of things," he said.

"But that's the lives of our youth now - it's online [and] they are digital."

Green Party MP Teanau Tuiono said it was important to acknowledge the harms that could come with social media platforms and the issue should be looked at from a harm-reduction perspective.

At the same time, he said the onus should not just be put on people under the age of 16.

"We know that misinformation and disinformation target people right across [all] age groups, and many of our seniors are particularly vulnerable as well," Tuiono said.

He said it was also important to hold the social media platforms accountable.

"It's all very well to pass out the responsibility to the individual and ... young people under the age of 16 or older people.

"But where's the responsibility from social media platforms? They are responsible for this harm where is their responsibility for this?"

He believed a broader approach was needed.

"They need to be responsible for the harm they they are creating, that their algorithm creates for young people, and also on democracy itself.

"That's an important ingredient in this conversation."