a post about proposed restrictions to social media

Kia ora friends,

The two major political parties in NZ have some kind of agreement going on that we need legislation to restrict Big Tech’s access to our children.

I tend to agree.

I’m also aware that there are people whose opinions I respect and whose work I admire thinking that this is not a good idea. I am genuinely listening to them, I’ve considered their views. They raise salient points. Things like: what about marginalised youth? Especially those living in isolated geographical scenarios? They need connection and community! What about those with rare medical conditions? They also need connection and community!

Please explain to me (and I am not being mischievous, I genuinely mean this!) … wouldn’t those young people be better off within the walled garden of a chatboard hosted on a particular website? Couldn’t my trans nephew and my disabled Godson (*and these are actual people! Not invented examples!) access information and support at a website devoted to a specific community, rather than the wild, wild west of Meta, etc?

For me, this is the bigger question. I think restricting access to under sixteens is the least of the conversations we oughta be having, although it’s worthy and noble etc.

Truly, the bigger question is: WHY aren’t we doing more about declaring and protecting ALL of our data in NZ? Not just that of our teens on the big social media platforms, but all of us, all the time? There is wonderful work being done and I wish we could all take action on THIS. Please check out this manifesto by Catalyst NZ, and this excellent data sovereignty movement: Te Mana Raraunga. Our treaty partners are once again ahead of the curve and their forethought PLUS te Tiriti could (should, would!) be protecting all New Zealanders from Creepy Zuck and his pals.

Another bigger question is: WHY have we allowed our schools to be captured by the likes of Google Classroom? We use screens in schools at a greater rate than most … You know I’ve written about this before, it’s like Nike Gym, it’s Coca Cola cafeteria, I’ve had a gutsful.

While we are at it: WHY are these buggers paying practically no tax in this country? They ship most of their profits offshore and pay tax to NZ on a just a tiny bit of the income they generate. Cheats, thieves, and villains.

Oh, and WHY are we allowing that bloody data centre to be built down south, against the wishes of the local people?

So, yeah. Restricting their access to our young people is the tip of the iceberg. Of course we should do this. It is just a beginning! But don’t get up in arms about it when there are so many interrelated issues, of technochauvinism and beyond.

Will this proposed legislation solve everything? No flipping way. But it’s got people talking, and that’s good.

Let’s talk about the sort of world we want, for ourselves and our country and our kids. I want less tech in schools, I want less offshore involvement in our data. I want young people to practice music and read books and split kindling. I want them to cook and to know how to clean a bathroom till it sparkles. I want young people playing sport and dancing and gardening.

Get ‘em off the damn phones. And we go a long way by leading by example. My 14 year old has no social media. It’s easy because I don’t, either.

PS I am devastated by the death of Dolly Parton this morning. I literally sit under a portrait of her at my desk each day! I am Tennessean by marriage and I feel like I’ve lost an auntie. But in her spirit, I put on a great bra and got back to work. RIP, Queen.

PPS I hope I have fixed the glitch that made links too disruptive to follow …? Let me know xx