New Zealand to Introduce Bill Banning Children Under 16 from Social Media
New Zealand is preparing to introduce a bill that would prohibit users under 16 from accessing popular social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook. The Online Safety Bill requires platforms to verify users’ ages and imposes penalties of up to 10 % of global revenue for non‑compliance.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon warned that social media exposes children to harmful content, addictive technology and pressures that they are not equipped to handle. He argued that protections already in place for real‑world safety should extend to the virtual world.
However, the bill faces opposition from coalition partners. The Act party, led by Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour, has said the ban would not work, while New Zealand First’s Winston Peters described the Australian precedent as a “colossal failure” and accused the legislation of pushing the country toward a slippery slope.
Under the proposed law, platforms would need to take “reasonable steps” to confirm a user is over 16, using existing account data, facial age estimation or digital identity checks. Platforms that are frequently used by children would also be required to regularly assess and report on risk mitigation efforts.
The UK and Greece are set to introduce similar restrictions next year, and France’s top court has already struck down a comparable ban, citing freedom of expression concerns. Australia's own 2022 ban, which has struggled to enforce and many under‑16 users still access prohibited apps, is often cited as a cautionary example.
If passed, the bill would impose higher fines than Australia’s maximum of $99 m (£51.7 m). It remains uncertain whether parliamentary votes will secure its passage, given the current opposition from coalition partners.
The debate reflects a global struggle to balance child protection with the challenges of regulating rapidly evolving digital platforms.
