New Zealand
I'm a mother and a filmmaker. This is why I made a series about social media harming our kids
Nadia Maxwell reveals why one school called Under the Influence 'an answer to prayer'.
Under the Influence
Stories and analysis from The Northern Express Herald.
Under the Influence | Boy vs Manosphere
Unrealistic standards that plagued girls are now hitting boys. Gen Z voices reveal what’s in their feeds as experts unpack the dangerous messages shaping masculinity.
Under the Influence | Girl vs Algorithm
The algorithm is exploiting girls’ need to belong. Gen Z share the toll, while experts explain their vulnerability — and one mother and daughter fight back.
Under the Influence / The girl in the park
As a young girl scrolls through her phone in the park her social media feed comes to life, with horrifying results.
Heartbroken dad reveals social media's role in daughter's death
Robb Evans says social media manipulated Liv – but NZ can now learn from Australian ban.
Gemma McCaw's life-changing moment with her baby
The former Black Stick decided she needed to change her phone habits around her family.
'Just for us': How teen 'aunties' flipped the script on rough sex and porn
Year 12 students at a Dunedin school anonymously answer real questions from their peers.
'Pretty normal': Half of NZ young women report being choked or suffocated during sex
Therapists say the trend is driven by online porn, now easily accessible on social media.
The AI chatbots turning Kiwi kids against their families: 'Your parents are #@^!'
Tests showed companion bots encouraged violence, drink driving and even suicide.
'Crying out to be heard': How the manosphere is hurting Kiwi boys
Toxic masculinity messages abound – a youth mentor admits 'I would fall for that' at 14.
'I was furious': What happened when mum turned off teen daughter's Wi-Fi
Sophia realised she hadn't seen her daughter Iyla all day – so she 'flicked the switch'.