Social media for under 16s is being compared to the harm caused by cigarette smoking. 

Clear evidence shows that social media can be linked to depression and anxiety. 

This has led to National introducing a member's bill to ban social media for those under 16 years of age, to protect kids. 

Parenting expert Nathan Wallace told Ryan Bridge implementing a ban for under 16s sends the message that, like cigarettes and alcohol, social media is something we need to monitor. 

He says social media is worse than we originally thought, so we now need to take the responsible steps to protect our kids from it. 

LISTEN ABOVE