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

New Zealand's government has proposed legislation to ban individuals under the age of 16 from using social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook. This move follows the implementation of similar restrictions in Australia, the UK, and France. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed concern over the negative impact social media is having on the mental health, sleep, and education of young New Zealanders, stating that one in three children aged between 13 and 17 are spending at least five hours a day on social media.

To enforce the proposed law, platforms would need to verify the age of users using existing account information, facial age estimation, digital ID services, and formal ID. If found non-compliant, firms like Meta could face fines equivalent to up to 10% of their global revenue. The bill's passage is uncertain, as both the libertarian ACT party and populist NZ First have expressed opposition due to the perceived failure of the Australian approach.

The main opposition party, Labour, is seeking further information regarding age verification and the platforms affected before deciding on their support.