Commentary pieces across outlets argue that New Zealand should be cautious about adopting blanket social media bans as a solution to online harm. The Conversation argues that a model based on Australia’s eSafety Commissioner could better address harms experienced by under-16s, and potentially by New Zealanders of all ages. It frames the issue as one that requires ongoing oversight and mechanisms to respond to online abuse rather than relying solely on restricting access.
The NZ Herald similarly questions the effectiveness of social media bans, describing them as not a “silver bullet.” While it focuses on the limitations of banning, it aligns with the broader view that a more targeted regulatory or enforcement framework may be more appropriate. Together, the sources suggest New Zealand consider borrowing elements of Australia’s approach—rather than implementing blanket bans—though they do not provide a single detailed policy blueprint. Both pieces emphasize that any response to online harm must be able to address the underlying risks and respond to cases as they occur.
