BACKINg
PARENTS
PROTECTING
CHILDHOOD
Parents play a vital role, but they shouldn't have to carry this responsibility alone.
Creating healthier digital childhoods requires action from government, schools, technology companies and communities alike
Our Advocacy …
1
A legal minimum age of 16 to access social media platforms
2
A dedicated online safety regulator with enforceable powers to protect children
3
Stronger laws holding tech companies accountable for harm caused to children on their platforms
4
A nationwide education programme equipping families and schools to navigate the digital world safely
We’ve created a podcast —One young mind
One Young Mind brings together some of New Zealand's and the world's leading experts to explore the biggest questions facing families today—from smartphones and social media to AI, mental health and childhood development.
Hosted by Matilda Green and Dr Maneesh Deva.
Listen Or watch now on all your favourite podcast platforms
STraight from the front line with steve mccracken and rachael wilson
JEN’S STORY: LOSING HARRY
Inside the teen brain: How social media shapes development with Dr Samantha Marsh
BLOwing the whistle on big tech with arturo bejar
Inside aotearoa’s online wild west with jo robertson and holly brooker
RECLAIMING CHILDHOOD IN A DIGITAL AGE WITH JONATHAN HAIDT & PRIME MINISTER CHRISTOPHER LUXON
PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
PARENT
TOOLKIT
EVENT
B416 hosted an expert-led evening giving parents practical tools to navigate social media, online harm and raising children in a digital world.
We brought together a group of experts covering the neurological, physical, emotional and relational impacts of growing up online - alongside practical strategies parents can actually use at home.
watch event videos …
DR SAMANTHA MARSH — ONE OF NZ’S LEADING RESEARCHERS ON SCREENS AND YOUNG PEOPLE, SPEAKING ON THE DEVELOPING BRAIN AND WHY CHILDREN ARE UNIQUELY VULNERABLE ONLINE.
ROBERT KNIGHT — PHYSIO TO THE BREAKERS, SPEAKING ON THE PHYSICAL IMPACTS OF SCREEN-BASED CHILDHOODS.
YOUTH PANEL:
Mackenzie roskrudge, Arden mouranga, caden scott,
EXPERT PANEL:
KELLIE LAVENDER — EATING DISORDERS AND BODY IMAGE
RICHIE HARDCORE — BOYS, MASCULINITY AND ONLINE INFLUENCE
JO ROBERTSON — SEXUAL HARM & HOW TO APPROACH TRICKY TOPICS WITH YOUR KIDS
Download the parenting toolkit …
There is no perfect formula for raising children in the digital age, but there are exceptional experts helping parents understand the research and make confident, practical decisions. Here are a list of our favourite resources to continue the conversation and share with friends and family.
proudly supported by:
THE FACTS
3 out of 4 young people (75%) say mental health is the biggest issue they face. With half of all young people in Aotearoa identifying social media as a major issue.
83% of New Zealanders are concerned about harmful or inappropriate content online. With social media platforms the main space where young people see this content
(Classification Office Report — What We’re Watching (2022))(Horizon Research Poll (December 2024))
A 400% surge in high or very high psychological distress in 15–24 year olds in the 11 year period to 2023 , increased from 5.1% (2011/12) to 21.2% (2022/23).
(New Zealand Health Survey (2022/23) and Mental Health Foundation Commentary)
74% of New Zealand adults support setting an age limit for social media.
How can I Help?
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movement
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BACKING PARENTS
PROTECTING CHILDHOOD