Luxon’s social media ban is about control

Not child safety

It is a grim day for digital freedom in New Zealand. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has just taken to Twitter to unveil the latest move from the National Party:

"We want to protect our kids from the harms of social media. That’s why today National has introduced a members’ bill to ban social media for kids under 16 years old."

On the surface, this may look like a well-meaning step towards safeguarding young people. But let us not be fooled. This is not about protecting children, it is about expanding state control under the guise of public concern.

If this government were serious about online safety, they would be targeting the real threats that young people face online. Explicit pornography, violent content, and predatory behaviour are all freely accessible across the wider internet. Yet instead, they are focusing on banning children from social media platforms, which, while flawed, are often where young people connect, create, and express themselves.

This is not about safety. It is about surveillance and control.

The move to restrict access to social media fits neatly with growing concerns about the introduction of a digital ID system in New Zealand. If young people cannot access these platforms anonymously, and if digital identification becomes standard, then suddenly every voice online can be traced, monitored, and recorded. That should deeply concern anyone who values civil liberties, freedom of expression, and the right to privacy.

We have seen this kind of slow encroachment before. Under the pretext of "protecting the public," the government is inching closer to building a surveillance state.

So what can you do to safeguard your internet privacy?

First, stop using Google Chrome. It is well known for collecting user data. Instead, use a privacy-focused browser like Brave, which blocks ads, trackers, and digital fingerprinting by default.

Next, ditch Gmail and switch to ProtonMail. It is a secure, encrypted email service based in Switzerland, offering strong privacy protections without corporate data mining.

Finally, keep a copy of Tails OS handy. Tails (The Amnesic Incognito Live System) is a security-focused Linux distribution designed to preserve your privacy and anonymity. It connects to the internet exclusively through the Tor network and runs entirely from a USB stick. Nothing is stored on the device unless you configure it to do so. It may not be the fastest system, but the extra security is worth the wait.

To support digital privacy, I am offering a limited-time giveaway. Anyone who becomes an annual Substack subscriber between now and this time next week will receive a free copy of Tails OS preloaded onto a Linux-branded USB stick, with postage included. Just send me your address after subscribing.

In a world where governments are increasingly tightening their grip on the digital realm, protecting your online freedom is no longer just an option. It is a necessity.