March 07, 2026

#education: Teachers welcome stronger protections for rangatahi online

Matthew Tukaki Posted On March 7, 2026

Secondary teachers are backing new recommendations from a parliamentary select committee aimed at improving the safety of young people navigating the online world.

The PPTA Te Wehengarua, which represents secondary school teachers across Aotearoa, says the findings of the Education and Workforce Select Committee inquiry into online harm highlight the growing risks faced by students and the need for stronger safeguards.

The inquiry examined the increasing exposure of young people to harmful online content including cyberbullying, exploitation, misinformation and explicit material. Teachers say these challenges are now a daily reality in classrooms, affecting student wellbeing, learning and relationships.

The select committee has released a series of recommendations aimed at strengthening protections for children and teenagers online. Among the proposals are reviewing existing laws dealing with online harm, increasing accountability for social media companies and exploring restrictions on access to social media for people under the age of 16.

Other recommendations include establishing an independent national regulator for online safety, banning so-called “nudify” apps that generate deepfake sexual images, and restricting online advertising of alcohol, tobacco and gambling to young users. The committee also calls for greater investment in online safety education and research to better understand the impact of digital platforms on young people.

Teachers say the proposals reflect what many schools are already seeing, with digital technology creating both opportunities and serious challenges for rangatahi. Educators argue that schools alone cannot address the issue and that stronger action from government and technology companies is needed.

The inquiry drew hundreds of submissions from educators, parents, digital safety experts and young people themselves. It found that online harm is evolving rapidly as new technologies and platforms emerge, making it difficult for current laws and safeguards to keep pace.

While the recommendations are not binding, the Government now has 60 working days to formally respond to the report and outline how it intends to address the growing concerns around online safety.

Education leaders say the next steps will be crucial in ensuring that Aotearoa’s digital environment is safer for tamariki and rangatahi, as young people spend increasing amounts of their lives connected online.