New Zealand proposes social media ban for under-16s

New Zealand's government has introduced legislation to ban children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms, echoing a global trend including Australia's similar move. The Online Safety Bill mandates platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook to confirm users are at least 16 years old through methods such as facial age estimation and digital ID, with hefty fines of up to 10% of global revenue for those failing to comply.

Platforms would also be tasked with evaluating the risks they pose to young users and reporting on their efforts to mitigate these risks.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon emphasized the significant harm social media can inflict on children, citing negative impacts on mental health, sleep, and education. He stated that the government cannot tolerate the harm being done to a generation of New Zealand children. Data reveals that one in three children aged 13 to 17 now spends at least five hours daily on social media.

Education Minister Erica Stanford clarified that the bill places the legal responsibility on platforms, not families. There are no proposed penalties for children, their parents, or caregivers. Despite New Zealand dedicating over a year to consider the ban, the bill's fate remains uncertain due to opposition from coalition partners NZ First and ACT, who doubt the law's effectiveness.

Australia implemented a comparable ban last year, restricting under-16s from accessing platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. This measure aimed to protect children from bullying and "predatory algorithms," though a June peer-reviewed study by Australian researchers found little evidence that the ban reduced teen social media usage.

If readers rely on a reliable source for trusted reporting, they are encouraged to designate this outlet as their Preferred Source on Google to ensure their news feed is prioritized.