TL/DR –
New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, has proposed a law to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms, referencing harm being done to young users. The bill has not yet gained enough support to pass, and a vote could not be held before Parliament dissolved on October 1st. The proposal would require platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook to verify users’ ages, with potential fines for tech firms failing to meet their obligations, though no penalties are proposed for parents or children.
New Zealand PM Proposes Social Media Ban for Under 16s
New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, has put forth a bill aiming to restrict social media access for children under 16 amid concerns about the “harm being done to a generation” of youth. However, insufficient support from within his coalition government and the lack of time for a parliamentary vote before November’s election mean the bill’s fate is uncertain.
Global Trend Towards Social Media Age Restrictions
Following the lead of other countries, Luxon aims to implement age restrictions on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook, should he be reelected. Research highlights that a third of New Zealand teenagers spend at least five hours daily on social media, leading to potential harm, addiction, and impact on family life, mental health, sleep, and education.
As part of the proposal, platforms would need to verify that users are over 16 through methods such as account information, facial age estimation, and digital ID services. The proposed law excludes messaging and gaming platforms, and AI apps with productivity uses. Tech companies may face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue for failure to comply, with platforms used by children needing to assess and report on risks.
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Political Division Over Proposed Ban
Luxon’s proposal has divided the government, with opposition from libertarian ACT and populist NZ First, part of the government coalition. The largest opposition party, the center-left Labour, is yet to decide its stance. The proposal follows similar laws enacted in Australia, Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia, with many other countries considering similar measures. Critics argue that these rules can be circumvented and pose privacy concerns.
Following Australia’s law, social media companies reported the closure of around 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children. In 2024, Luxon’s government implemented a ban on cellphone use during school hours for all students.
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