New Zealand proposes social media ban for under-16s

New Zealand is poised to introduce legislation that would prohibit children under 16 from accessing social media platforms. The proposed Online Safety Bill mandates that services like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook implement age verification tools, such as facial age estimation or digital IDs, to ensure users are at least 16 years old. Non-compliant platforms could face substantial fines, potentially reaching 10% of their global revenue.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stated the government cannot overlook the significant harm social media inflicts on a generation of New Zealand children, citing negative impacts on mental health, sleep, and education. Data indicates that one in three teenagers aged 13 to 17 spend at least five hours daily on social media. Education Minister Erica Stanford emphasized that the legal responsibility rests with the platforms, not with families, as no penalties are proposed for children or their caregivers.

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We simply cannot accept the harm being done to a generation of New Zealand children.

Despite over a year of deliberation, the bill's passage is not guaranteed. Coalition partners NZ First and ACT have expressed reservations, questioning its potential effectiveness. This mirrors Australia's experience, which implemented a similar ban last year to protect minors from cyberbullying and predatory algorithms. However, a recent Australian study found limited evidence that the ban reduced teen social media usage, raising similar concerns about the New Zealand proposal's impact.

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No penalties are proposed for children, their parents or caregivers.