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

New Zealand plans to introduce a new law that would stop children under 16 from using social media. The proposed law would require platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook to check the age of their users. The platforms could use existing account information, facial age checks, digital ID services or official ID documents to confirm a person’s age. Companies that do not follow the rules could face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue. The Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon said social media is exposing children to harmful content, addictive technology and pressures they are not ready to deal with. He said, “We simply cannot accept the harm being done to a generation of New Zealand children.” Luxon also said that one in three children aged between 13 to 17 now spends at least five hours a day on social media. However, several political parties have said they will vote against the bill.

The plan comes after Australia introduced a similar ban. The UK and Greece are also planning to bring in new social media restrictions next year. New Zealand’s Education Minister Erica Stanford said the new bill would put legal responsibilities on social media platforms. However, she said that children, parents and caregivers would not face any penalties. It is still unclear whether the bill will become law. The National Party’s coalition partners, the libertarian ACT Party and the populist NZ First Party, have said they do not support it. David Seymour who is the New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and leader of ACT, said he does not think the ban would work.

Winston Peters who is the Foreign Affairs Minister and leader of NZ First also raised concerns about the bill. He said the proposed law could take the country in a direction that could cause problems in the future. Peters also called Australia’s social media ban, which was introduced in December, a “colossal failure.” Australia has found it difficult to enforce the ban. Many children under 16 are still able to access and use the apps that are supposed to be banned. Earlier this month of August 2026, France’s high court rejected a similar proposed social media ban. The court said the law would interfere with freedom of expression.

For more information on IT Services, Web Applications & Support kindly call or WhatsApp at +91-9733733000 or you can visit https://www.technodg.com