Australia's social media ban is failing. New Zealand must not repeat the mistake.

MEDIA RELEASE | 26 June 2026 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

New research showing that four in five Australians under the age of 16 continue to use social media demonstrates what PILLAR has warned for months: blanket social media bans do not work.

Rather than acknowledging the policy's shortcomings, Australian policymakers are reportedly considering even tougher enforcement measures. That risks doubling down on a policy that has failed to achieve its stated objective while further expanding government control over online freedoms.

PILLAR says New Zealand should learn from Australia's experience instead of repeating its mistakes.

"Our message to New Zealand policymakers is simple: follow the evidence, not the headlines," said Nathan Seiuli, Executive Director of PILLAR.

"If four out of five children are still accessing social media despite one of the world's toughest bans, the policy has failed on its own terms. The answer is not to give governments even more power over how New Zealanders access the internet."

Australia's approach has already prompted discussion about stronger age verification, expanded online regulation, and digital identity requirements. PILLAR says these measures would come at a significant cost to privacy, freedom of expression, and the rights of law-abiding citizens.

"The real question is this: if the evidence shows the policy is failing, why would we copy it?" Seiuli said.

"At what point do we stop blaming enforcement and start questioning whether the policy itself is fundamentally flawed?"

PILLAR argues that the greatest success of those advocating for social media bans has been convincing the public that legislation is the primary solution. In reality, the most effective responses are already well understood: engaged parents, digital literacy education, and targeted enforcement against genuine criminal harms.

"No Act of Parliament can replace the role of parents," Seiuli said.

"Good parenting, digital education, and holding bad actors accountable will always achieve more than blanket restrictions imposed by the state. Pretending otherwise gives families a false sense of security while expanding government power in ways that are difficult to reverse."

Seiuli said governments must resist sacrificing fundamental freedoms in pursuit of policies that offer little practical benefit.

"Well-intentioned politics that abandons careful consideration of the foundations of a free and open democracy for the sake of appearing to 'do something' ultimately sacrifices liberty at the altar of safety."

PILLAR will continue advocating for evidence-based policies that genuinely protect young people while preserving the fundamental rights and freedoms of all New Zealanders.

ENDS

Media Contact | Nathan Seiuli | +64 21 485 449