ITP members had a lively debate on whether Aotearoa should follow in Australia’s footsteps and ban social media for under 16’s. So many pros and cons.

Australia is set to ban under-16s from social media and next year will trial technology to enforce the ban. So what exactly are these options – and what does the evidence say about their effectiveness?

A ban on social media for under-16s is a bad idea in so many ways. The Australian Government has a huge task making this policy play work in any shape or form.

Our members are worried about New Zealand’s ability to implement regulations designed to protect consumers when it comes to the influence of the mega digital platforms. Here are some thoughts and examples of other countries efforts in this space.

When platforms control access to the “product”, they also control the science around its impacts. Ultimately, these self-research funding models allow platforms to put profit before people – and divert attention away from the need for more transparency and independent oversight.

Durov’s arrest marks another act in the often confusing and contradictory negotiation of how much responsibility platforms shoulder for the content on their sites.