NZ is poised to replicate Australia’s social media ban, but it could do more harm than good

New Zealand is following in Australia's footsteps with a social media ban for young people. But, as an RMIT expert explains, its proposed age verification process could mine sensitive data, posing privacy and identity issues.

Dr Dana McKay, Associate Dean, Interaction, Technology and Information

"In making social media platforms responsible for age verification, the New Zealand government will be creating a situation where personal data will be collected by the platforms and potentially the government as well.

"For many teens who don't fit-in, because they are LGBTQIA+, disabled, neurodivergent or even just a bit quirky, a social media ban will limit their access to information and inclusive communities.

"The age-based social media ban could harm young people, particularly those who have diverse identities, and those who may feel isolated living in small towns.

"There is no evidence that this invasion of privacy will produce the outcomes the government says it wants: a reduction in bullying, and a reduction in the online harms teens experience.

"Most of the problems with social media apply to almost everyone, not just young people. It would be more effective to ask social media platforms to address widespread issues of misinformation, harmful content, and polarisation for all users rather than to develop age-verification technologies."

Dr Dana McKay is an Associate Dean, Interaction, Technology and Information in the School of Computing Technologies at RMIT University and a New Zealand citizen. Her research focuses on ensuring advances in digital information technologies make the world a fairer and more equitable place.

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