Our asks

• Transparency: Tech companies should clearly show how their algorithms work, like what content they recommend, what they remove, and how complaints are handled.
• Duty of care: Tech companies must actively make sure their products and services are safe by design. This means having strong checks to find risks and ways to reduce them.
• Independent oversight: There should be outside monitoring with the power to penalise companies that don't follow the rules.

Find out more on our asks here .

Campaign update

The campaign is gaining momentum. Not only have we seen the Select Committee inquiry into young people and online harm recommend many of the calls we’re calling for, in August 2026 we saw the Online Safety (Minimum Age and Child Safety Risk Assessment) Bill (supported by National and Labour) introduced that also includes many of our key calls. While we do not agree with the under-16 ban the Bill includes, there are other parts to the Bill that are a step in the right direction - including changes focused on tech company accountability, such as a duty of care (including risk assessments), a regulator and penalties for non-compliance - the sort of changes that can make a real difference.

However changes are needed. First up the Bill also includes a ban on social media for people under-16. We oppose this and want to see it removed from the Bill. But the other requirements in the Bill, such as requiring online platforms to carry out risk assessments are positive. Although we want to see more changes here too, such as ensuring the regulator is properly independent, and currently the Bill only requires these safeguards for young people, we want to see these protections extended to all people in society.

So while changes are needed, there are building blocks here for real change. If done well, it could be the beginning of the transformation of online platforms into a positive force in our lives, which lives up to the potential we saw when the platforms first came into being.

This all shows massive momentum – a huge thank you to everyone who has been involved, let’s keep up the pressure for change!

KEY MESSAGES

You are welcome to use any of this content when taking action. Our top messages include:

Online harm is a serious issue
Online harm affects both individuals and society. Without proper safeguards, digital platforms have created toxic environments that cause harm both online and offline.

Platform design is driving harm
Search engines and social media platforms are designed to promote content that drives engagement, regardless of its harmful effects. This allows harmful material to spread widely.

We need smart regulation
Aotearoa New Zealand has the opportunity to enhance digital spaces by implementing sensible regulation to address this fundamental design flaw.

Regulation must ensure accountability
This campaign focuses on tech company accountability. Law should create a thorough and consistent framework for online safety, including transparency and accountability, a duty of care, independent oversight, and penalties for non-compliance. The Government must uphold its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and work with Māori to develop regulation.