The Issue

In Aotearoa New Zealand, where youth suicide rates are among the highest in the world and child sexual abuse rates are alarming, it’s imperative to think about how we approach online safety. Understanding what young people do online, how they navigate these spaces and who they communicate with is crucial.

While online spaces present incredible communication opportunities, the ease of connection increases the risk of interacting with strangers. Technology actively encourages connections with unknown individuals, whether through ride-sharing apps, dating platforms or the pursuit of popularity based on followers.

Social media platforms are akin to a park at night — not places we want children navigating alone. Any time young people co-share spaces with adults, risk to safety and wellbeing increase significantly.  These include challenges arising from encountering situations they’re unprepared for, making decisions beyond their experience and doing this without our support. Yet, we readily grant them access to technology and therefore these shared social spaces and potential challenges. Children navigate the internet it with a sense of independence, and their seemingly small actions can have significant impacts on their wellbeing and safety.

This year, Child Safeguarding Week underscores the importance of preparing our children for the digital world, mirroring the care we take in teaching them other life skills. It’s a call to actively engage, support and be present during their initial steps into the internet and the opportunities it offers.