Will’s Word: Social media ban for teens, but will it stick?

The government's looking at banning under-16s from social media. The goal? Protect kids from harm, bullying, addiction, and harmful content. It all sounds reasonable, but is it actually possible?

Let's be frank, most teens are already on these platforms: TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat. It's where they talk, learn, and express themselves. Begs the question: is this a smart policy? Or shutting the gates after the horse has already bolted?

Australia passed a similar law last year, but questions remain as to how we will enforce it here in New Zealand. Do you make everyone upload IDs, scan their face? What about privacy? What about workarounds, VPNs, fake accounts?

Will this actually reduce harm or just push it out of sight? National MP Catherine Wedd, of course, has a member's bill that mirrors the Aussie law. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon backs the idea, saying it's about keeping kids safe. Ironically though, this is the same government that already banned phones in schools.

Is this a genuine child safety move? Or, and I'm sorry to say it, another step towards a more controlling nanny state approach? Some would say it's about time, others worry it's a slippery slope - Governments making personal decisions for families, instead of supporting them with better tools and education.

The opposition, Labour more specifically, is open to a ban, but says it can't be a distraction from bigger issues like pay cuts or the rising cost of living. Then you've got other parties like ACT, which says this all feels rushed, more a reaction than a solution, they want a full public enquiry first.

Let's not forget, social media has upsides too. Teens use it to stay connected, to be creative, to learn. Perhaps banning them outright risks cutting off an entire part of modern life without necessarily fixing the problems.

At best, a ban might delay exposure, but it won't prepare kids for the digital world they're inevitably growing up in. I'm all for protecting kids from harmful content, but let's make sure we're not just creating feel-good laws that are impossible to enforce.

Because frankly, once the horse is bolted, slamming the gate isn't much use, especially if you don't want to know what's on the other side.

That's Will's Word.

Listen to Will’s Word on Facebook below.