Luxon’s Big Ban Promise
This week Christopher Luxon made something very clear. National’s made up its mind. They’re pushing ahead with a nationwide under 16 social media ban.
No solid evidence it works.
Plenty of international evidence that it doesn’t.
And yet he says they’ll “die trying” to get it across the line.
That line was supposed to sound compassionate. Like he’s a benevolent, self sacrificial, saviour of our children/
But it’s not sacrificial. It’s suicidal.
We all care about young people. Of course we do. But when you respond to a vaguely defined, emotionally charged issue with sweeping regulation, you don’t get safety. You get censorship and overreach.
What’s being proposed isn’t just a small tweak to protect teenagers. It’s the groundwork for a permission based internet.
Age verification systems.
New liabilities for platforms.
Content decisions shaped by regulators who no one elected.
Fines and punishments if companies don’t comply.
Six months ago, when we started pushing into this issue, we warned about unintended consequences. Back then, you could argue it was early days.
But these are no longer unintended consequences we are walking into, its pure ignorance from those trusted to lead.
We’ve seen how similar policies have played out overseas. We’ve seen the privacy risks. The mission creep. The expansion of bureaucratic power.
Full Article HERE
“Don’t worry. NZ First or ACT will stop it.” some people will say.
Maybe. But that’s not where the real power lies.
Politicians can go on air. They can make big promises. They can talk tough. But without public support, they’re just blowing hot air.
And here’s the truth many have forgotten: in a democracy when the public speaks clearly and together, governments have to listen.
We don’t have to hand over the future of digital freedom because a problem feels urgent or has been marketed as a crisis. We don’t have to accept sweeping state control as the price of caring about kids.
Freedom isn’t just about protection from foreign actors. It’s about protection from unnecessary interference at home too.
This has moved beyond good intentions. It’s conscious disregard. The consequences aren’t surprises, they’re acceptable collateral in the pursuit of power.
If you haven’t signed our petition opposing the U16 ban, now’s the time.
Luxon might be confident. He might think it’s inevitable.
It’s not.
Power still belongs to the people.
And we can still say no.
Nathan Seiuli | Executive Director
PILLAR NZ
