After Australia, New Zealand proposes social media ban for under 16

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced a proposed law on Monday that would prohibit children under 16 from using social media platforms. The legislation aims to address concerns over the adverse effects of social media on young people. Should the bill pass in Parliament, social media companies could face fines equivalent to up to 10 percent of their global revenue for non-compliance.

Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook are targeted by the proposed ban, while messaging services like WhatsApp, gaming sites like Roblox, and productivity-focused AI applications like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot are exempt.

Luxon argued that social media exposes children to harmful content, addictive technologies, and pressures that they're not prepared to handle, negatively impacting their family life, mental health, sleep, and education. However, the proposal currently lacks sufficient support in Parliament. Two parties within Luxon's coalition government, ACT and New Zealand First, have expressed their intention to vote against the legislation. As a result, Luxon may require support from opposition lawmakers to secure passage.

New Zealand First leader and foreign minister Winston Peters voiced his opposition to the proposal, citing Australia's social media ban for children under 16 as a "colossal failure." He argued that the responsibility of keeping children away from social media should lie with parents. Australia implemented a similar ban in December 2025, prohibiting children under 16 from using platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.

In recent years, other countries, including Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia, have either enacted or are considering bans on social media for minors. New Zealand's government also introduced a ban in 2024, restricting students of all ages from using mobile phones during school hours.