New Zealand plans to ban social media for children under 16

New Zealand's government has introduced a bill that would set a minimum age of 16 for using social media platforms classified as "high risk." The rule would apply to companies such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube and X.

To verify users' ages, platforms could rely on several methods — existing account information, facial age-estimation technology, digital identity services, or official identification documents. Companies would also be required to regularly assess the risks their platforms create and report on how those risks are identified and reduced.

The bill proposes significant financial penalties for non-compliance, with fines potentially reaching up to 10% of a company's global revenue.

Minister's explanation

Education Minister Erica Stanford said the goal is to protect young people online, support parents, and hold major tech companies accountable. She said too many of the risks children currently face online go unchecked, with harmful content, addictive design features and fast-evolving technology outpacing existing safeguards.

Stanford noted that parents are already doing everything they can, but should not be expected to take on the world's largest tech companies alone. She said responsibility for compliance would fall on the platforms themselves, with no penalties planned for children, parents or caregivers. She compared it to how society already protects children from harm in the physical world, arguing it is time to take their online safety just as seriously.

Political situation

The bill still needs to pass through parliament and currently lacks broad support. Both of the governing coalition's partners — the populist New Zealand First and the liberal-conservative ACT party — oppose it. The opposition Labour Party has not yet stated its position.