Social media ban would stop under-16s accessing ‘crucial’ resources

The social media ban proposed by the National-led Government may pose more of a risk to the mental health of under 16-year-olds than continuing to allow unlimited usage of social media.

Data collected by Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission shows a steady decline in the mental wellbeing of New Zealand’s youth, with one in five young people experiencing psychological distress..

Various mental health organisations use social media as a way to provide mental health resources to those in need.

The proposed social media ban means under 16-year-olds may struggle to access these resources provided.

Amy Skipper, founder and executive director of the Mental Health Matters Initiative, says asking for help is "often the hardest and most confronting”.

“Organisations like ours are used to help young audiences take this crucial first step.”

“The exposure to harmful and violent content on social media harms young people’s mental healt -  this is true, yet this is symmetrical across other media platforms such as news sources, books, films, and TV.

“What is unique to social media is the benefit of positive connections.”

Social media provides harmful content at the click of a finger but mental health resources are found just as easily, Skipper says.

“These resources, unlike harmful content, do not have another space in which they occupy effectively.”

A report on teens, social media and mental health notes parents are more likely to be concerned about teens' mental health, rather than teens themselves.

In an opinion piece, mental-health advocate Mike King says it seems "like every adult is gathering their evidence from other adults who think just like them".

"Not one poll has asked kids what they think [about a ban]."

Skipper asks: “How do we mitigate the risk of social media addiction? How do young people use social media?

“We need further youth consultation on the issue and to innovate ways to educate and improve the experience of young people on social media, rather than cutting them off from crucial communities and resources.”