The Green Party is critical of the Government’s bill which would attempt to ban social media for under-16s.
“A ban on social media for under-16s doesn’t solve the problem of social media platforms churning out harmful and dangerous content in the first place,” says Green Party Spokesperson for Media and Communications, Hūhana Lyndon.
“We need to regulate social media platforms for all users so these platforms are free from harmful content, rather than just trying to limit access for young people while others continue to engage with harmful algorithms.”
“National’s bill to require age assurance for all social media users is unworkable and threatens online data privacy for every social media user, while also leaving big tech off the hook for the widespread harm their platforms cause.”
“Australia’s recent attempt at this shows an under-16 ban is not effective when it comes to truly addressing the impact of online harm. Age limits leave tech giants like Facebook, Google and Elon Musk off the hook for the harm they profit off.”
“The government needs evidence-based solutions for reducing online harm. We need a government that will take on the dangerous algorithms that fuel division, damage democracy and expose people to extreme misogyny, racism, and hatred.”
“Big tech platforms must be required to provide a digital duty of care to their users, instead of focusing on profit margins.”
“We should look at effective interventions, like the European Union’s Digital Services Act that imposes strong rights and protections for all users, alongside meaningful enforcement powers to hold social media platforms and billionaires to account.”
“With ACT and NZ First abandoning National on this misguided bill, the power is in the opposition’s hands to stand firm for meaningful regulation of big social media platforms and their harmful algorithms” says Lyndon.
