The ACT Party is urging Parliament to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the potential harms of social media on young people, following a proposal by the National Party to ban its use for those under the age of 16. The call for an inquiry comes in response to a member’s bill introduced by National MP Catherine Wedd, which seeks to implement age verification measures on social media platforms in New Zealand, mirroring steps taken by Australia. Backed by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, the bill is being considered for fast-tracking into law through adoption as a broader government bill.
However, ACT Party leader David Seymour voiced strong opposition to National’s proposal during a statement at Parliament, describing it as “simple, neat, and wrong.” Seymour argued that merely implementing a ban is a superficial fix that fails to address the deeper issues surrounding youth social media use. He emphasized that the core of the problem lies in parenting and family engagement, which he said the National Party’s plan ignores.
In response, ACT MP Dr. Parmjeet Parmar released a letter addressed to the chair of Parliament’s Education and Workforce Committee, proposing a formal inquiry. The inquiry would investigate the broader impacts of social media on young people and explore a range of possible solutions, including, but not limited to, a ban for those under 16. Parmar highlighted a growing concern about rising levels of mental distress among youth and cited increasing evidence suggesting social media and mobile phone usage may be contributing to this trend.
Parmar’s letter emphasized the need for a balanced, evidence-based approach rather than a hasty legislative response. “Educators and principals across the country have observed that students arriving at school are more needy and distracted than they were fifteen years ago,” she wrote. She stressed the importance of understanding the full impact of such a ban before proceeding with legislation that could have far-reaching implications.
In a subsequent press release, Parmar elaborated on the potential risks of implementing a blanket ban. She argued that the proposed measure could be ineffective on a technical level, as young users might find ways to circumvent age restrictions. Moreover, she warned that a ban could inadvertently push young people toward more harmful and less regulated corners of the internet. Parmar also raised concerns about a potential chilling effect, where affected youth might become less likely to talk about online harm, further compounding the problem.
Parmar criticized the moral framework behind the ban, stating that it sidelines the role of parents and guardians. She emphasized the value of fostering personal responsibility and digital literacy over imposing government-enforced restrictions. “Technologically, it’s a minefield. Morally, it is a government solution that does not involve parents. Its unintended consequences could do more harm than good,” she said.
Ultimately, the ACT Party believes that a thorough parliamentary inquiry would provide the necessary depth and nuance to guide policymaking in this area. Rather than rushing to replicate Australia’s model, ACT wants New Zealand to carefully assess the evidence and engage stakeholders, including educators, parents, and mental health experts, before implementing any sweeping changes. The party sees this as essential to ensuring that any future regulations are both effective and ethically sound. -TIN Bureau
