The Online Safety Bill misses crucial protections to keep young people safe

"Parents and caregivers across Aotearoa are doing their absolute best in an increasingly complex digital world, and the burden of digital safety should not fall solely on their shoulders,” says MHF chief executive Shaun Robinson. "Every parent wants their child to grow up safe, healthy, and supported, both offline and online."

The MHF shares in the public’s concerns about the ways online environments and social media may be negatively impacting the mental health of rangatahi and New Zealanders of all ages, and fully supports the package of recommendations made by the recent parliamentary inquiry into online harm. It is disappointed the Online Safety (Minimum Age and Child Safety Risk Assessment) Bill addresses just one of the 12 measures from the inquiry report in full.

"While the age ban and annual risk assessment requirement for select social media platforms provide a helpful framework, we are concerned these steps alone are unlikely to be effective at keeping young people safe," says Mr Robinson.

The parliamentary inquiry provided a thorough, evidence-based blueprint that showed real safety comes from changing how platforms operate at their core. By requiring tech companies to fix algorithmic rabbit holes, eliminate addictive design features, and proactively filter harmful content, we protect young people wherever they engage online.

The Bill also fails to establish a fully independent regulator with broad remit and powers, which was a recommendation from the inquiry and has been implemented in Australia.

“Excluding digital literacy education to equip adolescents and those who support them with the skills to navigate a digitally connected world and omitting systemic safety by-design from the Bill leaves young people vulnerable and lets tech companies off the hook for harmful platform design.”

“This Bill opens an important door to meaningfully improving the digital landscape for our tamariki and rangatahi,” adds Mr Robinson. “But the government needs to go further to create a safer, healthier online environment that supports the wellbeing of every young person in Aotearoa.”