New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said his party will introduce legislation seeking to ban children under 16 from using social media, with platforms potentially facing fines of up to 10% of global revenue for failing to comply.
The proposal would require social media companies to take reasonable steps to verify users’ ages using methods such as existing account information, facial technology and digital identity documents.
Luxon argued that social media is exposing children to harmful content, addictive features and pressures that can negatively affect mental health, sleep, education and family life.
The bill’s passage is not guaranteed. New Zealand First, one of Luxon’s coalition partners, has said it will oppose the measure. Party leader Winston Peters described the proposal as a potential regulatory “slippery slope” and argued that responsibility for children’s social media use should remain primarily with parents.
The initiative follows Australia’s move to become the first country to introduce a nationwide social media ban for children under 16, targeting major platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.
Luxon acknowledged that enforcement would not completely prevent children from accessing social media but said the potential harms were significant enough to justify stronger government intervention.
