Ormiston Senior College pupil Aayush Sharma is speaking out publicly against a proposed ban on people aged under 16 using social media in New Zealand.
The 17-year-old is the founder of the youth advocacy organisation Let Me Speak, a youth-led movement focused on amplifying the voices of ethnic and migrant young people across the country.
The group was founded this year and “advocates for meaningful youth representation in education, policy, and public decision-making to build a more inclusive and equitable future”.
Aayush says National Party MP Catherine Wedd’s plan to ban anyone aged under 16 from accessing social media has got people talking, including the people it’s actually about.
The Social Media Age-Appropriate Users Bill, introduced in May, would make platforms check every user is 16 or older, with fines of up to $2 million for companies that don’t follow the rules.
“Prime Minister [and Botany MP] Christopher Luxon is backing it, saying it’s about keeping kids safe from bullying, addiction, and the kind of stuff you just shouldn’t see online,” Aayush says.
“It’s not that simple and in fact it’s a very extreme measure.
“I understand, I’ve seen the bad sides of social media. The comparison, the pressure, the endless scrolling.
“But just banning it? That doesn’t make those problems go away.
“People my age will still get on somehow: fake birthdays, VPNs, older siblings’ accounts and that’s usually even less safe.”
Instead of a full ban, Aayush says the Government should focus on teaching young people how to handle the online world, and work closely with organisations like Netsafe.
“You can block apps, but you can’t block the internet.
“If you don’t teach us how to use it properly, you’re basically just pushing us into sketchier, unmoderated corners of it.”
He says the Government should be looking at things like better digital literacy programmes, teaching safe online habits, and making sure platforms take more responsibility for moderating harmful content.
“If this is about protecting young people, then talk to us first.
“Ask what actually works. Otherwise, it’s just adults making rules for a world they’re not living in the same way we are.”
Polls show around two-thirds of New Zealanders support the idea, but Aayush believes public opinion isn’t the same as the right solution.
“Banning is the easy option. The harder, and better option is actually educating people.
“That’s what’s going to help in the long run.”
