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As usual, Gordon hits the nail right on the head;
"... talk of creating a viable under 16 barrier to social media looks more like an abject version of performative politics. It seems to be all about the gesture, in that it offers a way for politicians to claim they care about the kids, even though their economic and welfare policies are often saying the exact opposite."
#GordonCampbell, 2025
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2510/S00011/on-the-social-media-ban-for-young-kids.htm
(1/2)
I'm continually frustrated by the lack of nuance. It's illegal to stab someone with a knife, and so it should be. But do we hold anyone who sells kitchen knives responsible for potential stabbings? Of course not.
By all means, make it illegal to use online tools to distribute nonconsensual sexual imagery. That's deeply abusive behaviour that can ruin lives. But making it illegal to offer tools people might use for private purposes, or for consensual distribution? That's overreach.
(2/?)
Well into the piece, after a load of discussion about age verification, there was a brief acknowledgement that imposing it on teens imposes it on everyone. But no serious discussion of the privacy implications of forcing people to give proof of identity to any online service we might use. Or the way that elevates the risk of identity theft.
Also no acknowledgement that some people learn how to navigate the net responsibly and safely by 14, while others still can't in their 70s or 80s.
(3/?)
No discussion either about the risks of empowering the DataFarming cartel responsible for creating the majority of online harm, by passing broad brush regulation only they can afford to comply with. A classic example of regulatory capture.
(4/?)
About the only sensible comments I heard were about harmonising NZ digital regulation with what's happening in larger jurisdictions, like the EU. But no acknowledgement of the need to learn from the missteps and failures, particularly in Oz.
For example, I partially agree with Paddy Gower's call for an independent commissioner, but not like the Online Safety Commissioner in Oz. What we need is one tasked with researching and proposing policy and best practice for digital tech in general.
(5/5)
As usual, Gordon hits the nail right on the head;
"... talk of creating a viable under 16 barrier to social media looks more like an abject version of performative politics. It seems to be all about the gesture, in that it offers a way for politicians to claim they care about the kids, even though their economic and welfare policies are often saying the exact opposite."
#GordonCampbell, 2025
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2510/S00011/on-the-social-media-ban-for-young-kids.htm
(1/2)
"If we truly do care about the mental health and wellbeing of vulnerable young people, the decision to means test every 18 and 19 year old young receiving state assistance (in every household earning $65,000 or over) is a bizarre way of showing it."
#GordonCampbell, 2025
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2510/S00011/on-the-social-media-ban-for-young-kids.htm
(2/2)
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