Keeping children and young people safe online
What is the issue?
Children and young people in Aotearoa are active participants in the digital world. They use it to learn, connect, share experiences, grow, get advice and express themselves.
Every child has a right to be safe, including in the online world. But children aren’t always safe online. Harmful content shows up on platforms that children and young people use. Those platforms need to be held to account and made safer. Children, and the people in their lives, need tools to help children navigate the online world safely.
Why online safety matters this election
As we head towards the 2026 General Election, decisions made by our next government will shape the digital environments our tamariki and rangatahi grow up in. Tamariki is not old enough to vote, our choices at the ballot box need to consider their safety, digital rights, and wellbeing. When evaluating candidates and party policies, consider how each plan addresses digital harms—shifting the burden off individual families and holding major tech platforms accountable to keep young New Zealanders safe. Make your vote count for children.
What are children saying about online safety?
“Force big companies, like Instagram, with harmful algorithms to improve their game.” Mana Mokopuna, Children and Young Peoples Perspectives on a safer Digital world.
"Educate, Don’t Just Restrict – Instead of just blocking content, teach tamariki and rangatahi how to navigate the internet safely, spot misinformation, and protect their privacy."
- Female, 12-14 yrs
"Banning social media is not ideal. We can't just get rid of this problem. But we can always have standards set, requirements to improve the usage."
- Mana Mokopuna
“[I feel safe] Because I only do stuff I’m allowed on my iPad and I just watch Lego, dinosaurs and Ninjago tv show. My mum helps me to keep me safe”.
- Male, 6-8 yrs
What does the research say about online safety?
51% of children and young people surveyed said that social media companies having stricter safety rules, like removing harmful features and being open about how their algorithms worked, would help them stay safer online. Youthline’s State of the Generation Report
49% of survey respondents said if schools taught online safety and media skills from primary to secondary school, children and young people would be safer online. Save the Children and Netsafe
Youth perspective & Support
Children understand the risks online and are worried about scams and harm to personal information and are concerned about receiving unwanted content. They want support from adults and institutions to help them to stay safe online. Youth Digital Wellbeing Research 2024
Parents and caregivers play a vital role in helping children talk about what scares them online and helping them be protected when they are online. Adults need to listen to the children and young people in their lives.
What can be done about it?
To address the harm young people are encountering online in Aotearoa, we need to address it at its source. It’s critical that our leaders listen to what children are saying and uphold their rights. We want to see Government:
Hold platforms accountable for creating unsafe spaces and harmful content. Platforms should be designed for maximum safety, not maximum engagement.
Review and strengthen legislation and establish an online safety regulator so responsibilities are clear, child-rights-based, and fit for rapidly changing technology. The burden of protection should shift firmly off children and their families and sit with those creating the harm.
Invest in tools for children and their families to navigate online life safely. Children should feel safe to raise issues when they encounter them.
How can I start a conversation about online safety?
Make your vote count for children this election - make sure you are enrolled to vote - enrol here