29 JULY 2024 SPECIAL EDITION NEWSLETTER

Kia ora koutou

Today we release our latest research in conjunction with Netsafe, shining a light on the online experience and its influence on youth body image in Aotearoa.

We see the everyday impacts that the evolving online landscape can have on young people. While some issues, such as body image, beauty ideals and diet culture existed pre-internet, the widespread reach of modern social media means that young people are growing up and learning from content in ways we’ve never experienced before.

Together with Netsafe we commissioned Research First to interview young people, to better understand the complex online experiences influencing the mental and emotional wellbeing of young people in Aotearoa. The research included face to face and online  interviews as well as interviews with participants currently in clinical care, with 58 young people aged 14-17 in early 2024.

Our full research report is now available for download, along with a summary report of our findings.

Online environments and social media are increasingly associated with shaping self-perception and body image. Young people talked about the positive benefits of social media, such as learning about health or fitness, or experimenting with ideas around style and appearance. Young people also talked about the negative impact of social media on how they feel about body image. Their stories tell us that online experiences encourage them to compare themselves to others, and often contribute to negative outcomes such as low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, and disordered eating.

By listening to the experiences and insights of rangatahi, we aimed to learn more about the extent of these impacts, identify contributing factors, and eventually develop informed strategies to promote healthier online environments. We see this research as a necessary and timely first step towards guidance for parents, educators, policymakers, and online service providers seeking to support young people's mental health and help foster a more positive and realistic portrayal of body image in the digital age.

Thank you to our research team and thank you to Research First. We are also sincerely grateful to the young people who generously gave us their insights for this research, and who genuinely want their experience known so that others might have a safer journey.

We’re proud to be contributing to the body of research in Aotearoa and starting conversations about what matters to young people online.

Aroha atu, aroha mai, tātou i a tātou
Let’s look out for each other

— Chief Censor Caroline Flora

#Mātakitahi #WatchTogether #KōreroTahi #TalkTogether 

Image credit: Rebecca McMillan Photography 

Our online research

Rangatahi told us that social media and other online content can have a significant influence on young people’s lives and self-perception. They noted that while such content often promotes unrealistic ideas about what’s beautiful or attractive, it can also foster positive body image by promoting diversity and challenging traditional ideals.

This research provides valuable insights that help Te Mana Whakaatu and Netsafe in their efforts to promote safer and more supportive online environments and content.

We encourage parents, educators, and anyone interested in the wellbeing of young people to read the full research report to better understand these insights and support healthy online experiences. Our summary and the research report are available now for download in PDF format. 

Understanding the impact of social media on youth body image in Aotearoa

Our research report is structured into three parts: "How young people engage with body image content", "Body image content affects all young people, but in different ways", and "What young people want".

The key findings from the report include:

• Young people are seeing and engaging with a variety of body image content, often from an early age.     
• Young people can find both helpful and harmful online content, but algorithms sometimes make it hard to get positive and reliable information.    
• Young people are facing increasing pressure around how they look, regardless of gender.
• Young people use social media to express themselves and connect with friends, but they face significant challenges managing unwanted and harmful content.·      
• The impact of body image content can be both positive and negative.
• Young people want more understanding and supportive dialogue from adults.
• Young people want better educational resources and support.

Our comprehensive research report is available now

Need to talk? Helplines for support

We understand that this research could be confronting or upsetting for some readers, especially if they can personally relate to the information we have shared. If you or someone you know needs to talk:

• Visit Netsafe to complete an online form to report any online safety issues or free call 0508 638 723 for support.

• Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor.

• Free call Youthline 0800 376 633 or text 234 to talk with someone from a safe and youth-centred organisation.

• Free call OutLine Aotearoa 0800 688 5463 any evening to talk to trained volunteers from Aotearoa's rainbow communities.

Youth Voice
Why it is important to work alongside young people and listen to them.

Young people have lived experiences that are vastly different from older generations who didn't grow up with the internet from birth. When making decisions that affect young people, it's crucial to include them in the conversation because they have first-hand knowledge of their own experiences and needs. Their insights are invaluable for understanding how best to support and empower them. Without their voices, we miss out on understanding the full picture of their challenges and aspirations, making it harder to create policies and initiatives that truly benefit them.

Te Mana Whakaatu established a Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) in 2018. A diverse range of young people aged 14-19 provide feedback and share their experiences. Working alongside the YAP to understand how our work impacts them has transformed the work of the Office and how we make classification decisions. We now have more diverse voices underpinning our decisions. Learn more about our Youth Advisory Panel online.  

Te Mana Whakaatu is an independent Crown entity responsible for classifying material which may need to be restricted or banned. This can include films, books, video games and online content. The Office can restrict or ban content that promotes crime, terrorism or violence. The Office also conducts research and produces evidence-based resources to promote media literacy and enable New Zealanders to make informed choices about what they watch.

Netsafe is New Zealand’s independent, non-profit online safety organisation. Embracing a technology-positive approach, Netsafe aims to help New Zealanders take advantage of the digital opportunities available while managing online challenges. Netsafe does this by providing practical tools, support, and advice. Netsafe operates independently, adjacent to government and law enforcement, with an unwavering focus on online safety. Netsafe’s mission is to keep people of all ages safe online by providing free support, advice, and education to all ages.