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

Wellington — The New Zealand government announced plans to introduce legislation on Monday that will prohibit individuals under the age of 16 from using social media platforms, similar to the approach taken by other nations seeking to restrict access for younger users. Investigations into such a ban have been ongoing for over a year, following Australia's implementation of the world's first legislation in December.

Under the Online Safety Bill, companies like Meta may face fines equivalent to up to 10 percent of their global revenue for non-compliance. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon emphasized the urgent need to address the harm being inflicted on the nation's children. He stated that one in three teenagers aged between 13 and 17 spend at least five hours per day on social media, exposing them to harmful content, addictive technology, and pressures they are ill-equipped to handle, which in turn negatively impact their family life, mental health, sleep patterns, and academic performance.

Luxon singled out Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook, warning that these platforms will be required to comply with the new regulations if they wish to continue operating within New Zealand's borders.