New Zealand Plans to Ban Social Media for Children Under 16

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced plans to introduce a bill banning children under 16 from using social media, with penalties reaching up to 10% of a platform’s global revenue for companies that fail to comply. The proposed law would require platforms to verify users’ ages through methods such as facial recognition, digital identity checks, and existing account details.

Concerns Over Children’s Mental Health

Luxon said the move is necessary to protect young people from harmful content, addictive platform design, and pressures affecting their sleep, education, and mental wellbeing. He acknowledged the policy won’t be perfect but said the risks to children make it worth pursuing.

Coalition Partner Pushes Back

Not all lawmakers support the bill. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters criticized the plan, pointing to Australia’s earlier ban on under 16 social media use as a failure and arguing that limiting children’s online access should be a parental responsibility rather than government policy.