New Zealand plans bill to ban children under 16 from social media
The government is drafting legislation that would bar users under 16 from accessing popular social‑media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook. Platforms that do not adhere to the age‑check provisions could face fines of up to 10 % of their global revenue.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon warned that social media “exposes children to harmful content, addictive technology and pressures they are not equipped to deal with.” He argues that protections already in place for physical safety should be mirrored in the virtual realm. However, both the Act and New Zealand First parties—key coalition partners—have announced they will oppose the bill, raising doubts about its prospects in parliament.
The proposal follows Australia’s 2022 ban on under‑16s, but that regulation proved difficult to enforce, with many children still able to access banned apps. Similar restrictions are also expected from the UK and Greece next year. France’s top court also blocked a comparable ban, citing freedom of expression concerns, a judgment that New Zealand lawmakers are keen to avoid.
Under the forthcoming Online Safety Bill, social‑media companies must take "reasonable steps" to verify that users are over 16, using methods like existing account details, facial age estimation, or digital identity checks. The law also obliges regularly used platforms to assess the risks they pose and report on risk‑mitigation measures. No penalties are outlined for children, parents or caregivers, only for the platforms themselves.
Fines for non‑compliance could be substantially higher than Australia’s cap of $99 million (≈ £51.7 million), potentially turning the bill into a costly venture for giants such as TikTok and Meta.
While the bill aims to enhance online safety for young users, its enforcement challenges and political opposition underscore the complexity of regulating digital behaviour among minors. The legislative debate will unfold in the coming weeks as parliament deliberates on the proposed ban.
