New Zealand moves forward with bill to ban social media for under-16s

New Zealand's government is set to introduce an Online Safety Bill in parliament on Monday that would bar under-16s from using social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook. Companies would be required to implement age-verification measures for their users.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said social media exposes children to harmful content, addictive technology and pressures they are not equipped to handle. He argued that just as protections exist to keep children safe in the physical world, similar safeguards are needed online, noting the effects of social media on children's family life, mental health, sleep and education.

Verification methods and penalties

Under the bill, platforms would need to take "reasonable steps" to confirm users are over 16, using tools such as existing account data, facial age estimation and digital identity checks. Platforms commonly used by children would also have to regularly assess the risks they create and report on how those risks are being addressed.

No penalties are proposed for children, parents or caregivers who breach the rules, but companies could face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue — a potentially much steeper penalty than in Australia, where the cap is $99m (£51.7m).

Uncertain path through parliament

It remains unclear whether the bill has enough support to pass, since coalition partners Act and New Zealand First have both said they will oppose it. Act leader and Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour said the ban would not work. NZ First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters warned the legislation set the country on a dangerous path, calling Australia's ban, introduced in December, a "colossal failure" that has struggled with enforcement, with many children still able to access restricted apps.

The proposal follows Australia's similar ban, while the UK and Greece are expected to introduce their own restrictions next year. Earlier this month, France's top court struck down a comparable proposed ban, ruling it violated freedom of expression.