Potentially harmful habits and behaviours

Habits and behaviors are part of everyday life, both online and offline. Sometimes they can become addictive and end up harming you or the people around you.

Some behaviours that can be problematic are prevalent online. Others, such as alcohol and other drugs, occur in real physical spaces. Find out what to watch out for if you're involved in any of the following behaviour and how to manage some safety concerns.

Gaming

Gaming can be social, fun and help build problem solving skills. It is also highly immersive and may lead gamers to become isolated and desensitised. Harmful characteristics of gaming can include:

  • gratuitous violence and gore, and other explicit content
  • derogatory language
  • online gambling
  • unreasonable or excessive purchases to achieve a goal within the game.

As well as the basic tips above, you can also:

  • hide your name from other players while gaming
  • turn off chat or limit it to friends
  • manage shared content like gifts, and whether these can be sent or received.

Pornography

In New Zealand, pornography is legal if you’re over the age of 18. So, if you’re looking at or creating explicit content then you’re not alone.

However, it’s not unusual to be sceptical or uncomfortable about the content you’re watching. Content involving children, animals, dead people, cruelty, severe violence or abuse is also considered “objectionable” and illegal to possess or view.

Some people find that their use of porn can lead to unrealistic and harmful attitudes and expectations about sex, relationships, and body image.

  • You may find some acts that are depicted violent or graphic.
  • Sex depicted may be risky, such as unprotected sex, or might involve behaviours that can have a high risk of injury, like choking.
  • Porn often depicts harmful themes and attitudes.
  • Partners may be dominated or treated like subordinates, and sex may not be clearly consensual.
  • You may find yourself trending towards behaviours depicted in porn in your own sexual relationships.

For content creators, what may at first feel like a fun and potentially profitable gig may not turn out as expected.

  • You may feel the online environment is competitive, that you are continually pushed to innovate, and that you’re being pushed beyond your boundaries.
  • Digital footprints are hard to erase, so you need to be comfortable that anyone may see this content now or in the future. This includes people you know and employers.
  • Your online life may interfere with your real sex life.
  • There’s no guarantee you’ll make any money.

For more information see In the Know.

Gambling

Many people struggle with gambling, which often targets young people online, including through gaming and porn sites. Here are some ideas if you are concerned about your behaviour.

  • Be honest with yourself and others if you think you have a problem. Talk it through with trusted friends, family or Mauri Ora.
  • Set a limit on the amount of money you spend gambling.
  • Keep busy. Spend time with friends, family, or doing other activities you enjoy.
  • Use an app like Betblocker or Gamban to block access to online gambling sites.
  • Some banks, like Kiwibank, have the option to block gambling transactions from your debit or credit card. You can still use your card for other transactions.

Find out more and get help from Safer Gambling and the Problem Gambling Foundation.

Alcohol and other drugs

Alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, MDMA and other illicit drugs are common in New Zealand. By the time you get to university, you are likely to have been exposed to a number of these substances.

Alcohol and other drugs affect everyone differently, and effects change over time and vary from person to person. Drug, “set” (mindset) and “setting” (place) are also important in how taking a particular substance will affect you. If you are feeling tired or anxious about the space you are in, you will probably not have the best time.

Alcohol and other drugs can impair judgement, decision making and coordination. Excessive use can be harmful and can result in things like loss of consciousness and seizures. If you’re planning to use alcohol and other drugs, then do so safely. Make sure that you:

  • are in the mood and feel safe in the place you are taking them
  • keep an eye on your friends
  • take plenty of water and food
  • don’t drive
  • “go low and go slow”— take a small amount and wait to see what the effects are on you.

Also, if you are new to taking alcohol and other drugs, make sure that you:

  • are with people you trust who can look after you if things don’t go well
  • make use of harm reduction services, like Know Your Stuff for drug checking. Drug checking identifies the composition of substances and is free in New Zealand.

Most people choose to use alcohol and other drugs to enhance socialising with their friends on a night out or at a special event like a festival, and do not suffer lasting harms from their use. However, some people may use substances to cope with persistent problems, or develop dependence or addictions.

Keep in mind that alcohol and other drugs may interfere with medication, so check if this situation applies to you. See Know Your Stuff for information about how some drugs interact with medicines.

University support services

If you’re worried about yourself or someone else, connect with Mauri Ora for confidential support.

Find out more about alcohol and drugs.

Support services in the community