A new report from Mana Mokopuna – Children’s Commissioner is putting the voices of children and young people at the centre of the national debate over online safety.
The report, Children and Young People’s Perspectives on a Safer Digital World, gathers views from a diverse group of mokopuna across Aotearoa, including their thoughts on proposals to ban social media access for under-16s.
While views on online restrictions were mixed, the report found broad agreement that more action is needed to protect young people from online harm.
Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad says the online world is now a core part of young people’s everyday lives, and policy decisions must reflect both the risks and benefits they experience.
The report highlights that mokopuna value the internet for connection, learning and self-expression, but also want stronger protections from harmful content, unsafe interactions and systems that fail to keep them safe.
Mana Mokopuna says young people are calling for practical, balanced solutions rather than one-size-fits-all responses. The Commissioner is urging policymakers, technology companies and communities to include young people in designing online safety measures.
The report comes as governments around the world consider tougher rules for social media platforms and online services used by children.
Mana Mokopuna says effective online safety policy must reduce harm, strengthen protection systems and respect the rights and lived realities of mokopuna.
