New Zealand to introduce bill for under-16s social media ban

New Zealand is preparing to introduce legislation that would prohibit individuals under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms. Under the proposed measures, services such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook would be obliged to take reasonable steps to confirm that users are 16 or older. Verification methods could include existing account information, facial age estimation and digital identity checks. Platforms that fail to meet these obligations could be fined up to 10 % of their global revenue. No penalties would be applied to children, parents or caregivers for breaches of the ban. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon argued that social media exposes young people to "harmful content, addictive exertion and pressures they are not equipped to woody with". He added, "We person protections to support children harmless in the existent satellite and we request them in the virtual satellite too". Luxon also said the technology is affecting children’s family life, mental health, sleep and education. The initiative follows a comparable restriction enacted in Australia, while the United Kingdom and Greece are said to be considering similar measures for the coming year. The New Zealand government has not yet specified which additional “high‑risk” platforms might fall under the scope of the bill. The Online Safety Bill, slated for introduction to parliament on Monday, would require platforms to “take tenable steps” to verify users are over 16 by using tools such as existing relationship information, facial property estimation and digital individuality checks. Services popular with younger users would also need to regularly assess the risks they present and report on how those risks are being identified and reduced. Although the bill proposes no fines for under‑16 users, penalties for non‑compliant companies could exceed those in Australia, where the maximum punishment is $99m (£51.7m). Political support for the measure is uncertain. Both the Act party and New Zealand First (NZF), which are coalition partners, have announced they will vote against the bill. David Seymour, the party’s deputy prime minister and leader, said the prohibition would not work. Winston Peters, who heads NZF, warned, "We person been acrophobic with the projected authorities and the absorption and slippery slope that authorities similar this volition inevitably instrumentality our country." He also described Australia’s December ban as a "colossal failure". Observers note that Australia’s ban has proved difficult to enforce, with many children under 16 still able to access the prohibited apps. Earlier this month, France’s highest court struck down a similar proposal, ruling that it infringed on freedom of expression.