A community health researcher says as Australia introduces a youth social media ban, New Zealand needs more research on the harms social media poses to Māori and Pasifika children.
Last week, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans for legislation that would ban social media for individuals under the age of 16 to safeguard youth from bullying, exposure to harmful content, and mental health issues.
Samantha Marsh from Waipapa Taumata Rau – University of Auckland, says that in New Zealand, the age of access for most platforms is 13, based on outdated legislation.
At the same time, research shows significant vulnerability before age 16.
She says research on Māori children indicates they tend to have higher screen time, which increases their exposure to misinformation and harmful content.
“I think it needs to be prioritized in New Zealand is research for Maori and Pacific kids, because those are two groups that we know are using social media quite heavily, but we don’t know the impacts for them,” says Marsh.
