Schools bring in counsellors to deal with social media harm

Two Auckland school principals have revealed the need to hire counsellors specifically for addressing the harm caused to children by social media.

Bryce Mills, principal of Riverina Primary School in East Auckland, shared with Checkpoint that children as young as eight are being exposed to extreme online content. The school has employed a counsellor to help manage the repercussions, a move also taken by Whangaparāoa College in Auckland, which hired the equivalent of five school counsellors last year to assist teenagers affected by social media.

The situation has sparked discussions about imposing a ban on social media for individuals under the age of 16. This conversation follows the release of the final report by Parliament’s Education and Workforce Committee on the inquiry into the negative impact of social media on young people, proposing recommendations that include prohibiting under-16-year-olds from using social media.

At Riverina Primary School, teacher Saasha Jolley noted that students frequently discuss their online activities, such as scrolling through Instagram, Tiktok, Snapchat, and gaming platforms like Roblox. The content they encounter online often carries over to school the next day, leading to instances where students unknowingly repeat inappropriate or harmful information.

Research from Te Mana Whakaatu the Classification Office revealed that young people typically do not actively seek objectionable content online, but may come across it on social media, in group chats, or through personal interactions. Examples of such content include pornography and real-world violence.

Despite efforts to implement online security measures at Riverina Primary School, including self-funding a $3000 yearly investment in an online security system, Principal Mills highlighted the challenge of monitoring students’ online activities once they leave school premises.

Similarly, Whangaparāoa College Principal Steve McCracken shared that the school had to allocate significant resources towards hiring additional counsellors to support teenagers affected by social media, attributing much of the issue to the influence of social media on students’ perceptions of wealth and success.

Australia set a precedent by becoming the first country to enforce a social media ban for individuals under 16, restricting access to platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.

Where to get help:

If you need support or guidance, consider reaching out to the following resources:

• Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason
• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO
• Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202
• Samaritans: 0800 726 666
• Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz
• What’s Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787
• Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832
• Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
• Healthline: 0800 611 116
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
• OUTLine: 0800 688 5463
• Aoake te Rā bereaved by suicide service: or call 0800 000 053
• If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111