Bay of Plenty parents and educators are welcoming a bill in Parliament to restrict social media access for under-16s.

The bill, put forward by National Tukituki MP Catherine Wedd, would protect young people from social media harm by limiting access for under-16s.

Wedd said the My Social Media Age-Appropriate Users Bill “puts the onus on social media companies to verify that someone is over the age of 16 before they access social media platforms”.

“Currently, there are no legally enforceable age verification measures for social media platforms in New Zealand,” Wedd said.

The bill has not been drawn for debate, but Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has said the Government will explore the issue in its work programme.

Ōtūmoetai College principal Russell Gordon said he supported the intent of the bill as he believed teachers and parents were struggling to keep up with social media.

“As educators, we see first-hand the challenges young people face when navigating social media, particularly those under 16.

“While digital platforms can be useful tools for communication and creativity, the risks often outweigh the benefits at this age.”

Gordon said while restricting access to social media may prove challenging to implement, the proposed bill would provide schools and families with a strong foundation for setting expectations and having clearer conversations around boundaries.

The biggest issue with social media that Gordon has seen in the school comes from misuse, causing online drama to spill into school life.

“It can affect friendships, self-worth, and even classroom focus.

“Many students are not emotionally equipped to manage what they could be exposed to online, which often causes anxiety and disrupted sleep.”

Gordon said students learn about digital citizenship at Ōtūmoetai College.

“What makes cyber bullying particularly damaging is that it follows students wherever they go, be it to school or at home.

“A reduction in access would likely reduce both the volume and intensity of incidents.”

From harmful content and unrealistic body standards to online scams, there are a number of things online that young people are not ready for, he said.

“Even subtle things like algorithm-driven content can shape their worldview in ways they don’t fully understand.”

Gordon said teachers and parents struggle to keep up and manage the effects of social media.

“Students can arrive at school already distressed from something they have seen or been part of online the night before.”

Parents’ struggles with kids and social media

Katikati mum Cassie Calvert said she is worried about the impacts of social media.

She felt positive about the bill, considering the impact the phone ban in schools has had.

“I know there are a lot of issues, with cyber bullying and addiction and seeing inappropriate or harmful content. If they can implement it, it could be really good.”

She monitors her 14-year-old son’s phone use and has allowed him to have Snapchat as a way to communicate with his friends.

She said she worried about what her son could be exposed to online that may impact his mental health and self-image.

“I actually took the phone and had a look through, and I saw some content that was talking about teen suicide and self-harming, and I thought, I didn’t realise you had access to that.”

Calvert was also concerned about the habits that social media use creates.

“I was born in the early 1980s and my parents used to beg me to come inside from playing out and now I beg my children to go outside.

“My parents often say, ‘God, we’re glad we didn’t have that when you were a child’.

“I try to discuss screen time and try to set boundaries and encourage them to go outside and have social time with their friends face-to-face, but it’s a challenge.

“When they’re on social media, they’re lost in it. If you don’t watch them, they will go straight on to their phones.

“You can only advise your child the best you can. I say to the kids, once you’ve seen it, you can’t take it back, so please don’t go looking for it.”

A school teacher, who wishes to remain anonymous, said the bill would make a difference during school time.

“All we can do is educate students around social media and how to be responsible on it themselves,” said the teacher, who is also a mother to a teenager.

“They’re just a bit too young and very easily influenced.”

She said the constant ability to communicate with their peers was unhealthy and she hoped her children were not being exposed to things they were not ready for.

“When you’re online, you can end up in a rabbit hole.

“You can’t unsee something and you can’t unread something.”

Her house rules at home included limited time on devices to focus on “engaging and being present in the moment with the people and the nature around you”.

She said the phone ban in schools had made a big difference. “When phones were still allowed at school, we definitely had some situations.

“Now that they are left home, we don’t deal with them at all.”