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MHF said it’s difficult to balance the need for parents and caregivers to be aware of the risks to their children with real concerns about alerting more people to the existence of content that may cause harm.
He also said New Zealanders must feel confident that they can mitigate the harm by having open and supportive conversations, particularly with young people and those who may be at risk of suicide.
MHF offers guidance for parents and caregivers on how to safely talk about suicide with youth, including what to do when someone sees it being talked about in the media.
“It is up to us to bridge the gaps between the adults and the Rangatahi and make sure that we are there to help,” Robinson said.
“Social media can be very positive for many young people, banning it is not the answer. We need to ensure that young people feel they can safely talk to the adults in their lives about distressing things they have seen or heard without fear of punishment. or lose access to social networks. “
Netsafe CEO Martin Cocker said he has two pieces of advice for people who view content online that bothers them. The first is for parents and caregivers to talk to their children about it, and the second is for people affected by the content to talk to any agency that specializes in helping people, such as Lifeline or Youthline.
“Those agencies are set up to talk to you about how you feel. We recommend that you do so,” Cocker told Newshub.
He also said it’s important to report any distressing content online, either directly to the outlet or to Netsafe.
“If you see this content on social media … you are doing an important service by reporting it.”
Netsafe’s online resources for young people exposed to any disturbing content say that one of the “best strategies” is to encourage people who are disturbed by what they see to speak about it.
“Talking to your child about his experiences from the first time he goes online can be helpful in keeping the lines of communication open for when something is upsetting him. When talking to him about school, friends, or sports, remember to ask about his online life and friends too, “says his website.
“While there is a place in young people’s lives for filtering tools, as they develop they will want their freedom and privacy. It is quite easy to avoid filtering or use a computer, phone or game console to go online now. whether it’s at home or away from home (at school, at a friend’s house or at the library), so education remains the most important thing you can do. “
