New Zealand proposes social media ban for under-16s
The government is set to follow Australia's lead and introduce a bill banning children from social media. But the plan already faces opposition from within the ruling coalition.
New Zealand's government plans to introduce legislation on Monday aimed at banning children under 16 from using social media platforms. This move is in response to concerns expressed by several countries worldwide, including New Zealand's neighbor Australia. The proposed Online Safety Bill would mandate social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook to verify that users are at least 16 years old using methods like facial age estimation and digital ID. Violations of the bill could result in fines of up to 10% of a company's global revenue.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon emphasized the significant harm that social media poses to New Zealand's young generation, citing adverse effects on mental health, sleep patterns, and educational outcomes. Education Minister Erica Stanford clarified that the penalties would be imposed on the platforms themselves, not on individual families.
However, the bill's passage remains uncertain due to opposition from two of New Zealand's coalition partners, NZ First and ACT. These parties have raised doubts about the bill's effectiveness in achieving its intended goals. Australia has recently implemented a similar ban, although a June study indicated that it had not led to a noticeable decrease in teen social media usage.
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