{
  "id": 2952015,
  "title": "New Zealand moves to ban social media for under-16s",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/new-zealand-moves-to-ban-social-media-for-under-16s",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T05:42:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/world/20260824/new-zealand-moves-to-ban-social-media-for-under-16s"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nUnder 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.\n\nLuxon 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.",
  "summary": "WELLINGTON — New Zealand's government will introduce legislation on Monday banning under 16s from using social media, joining a number of countries seeking to keep youngsters off sites such as Instagram and TikTok. New Zealand has been investigating a social media ban for over a year, after neighbouring Australia implemented its world-first legislation in December. Under the Online Safety Bill,…",
  "key_points": [
    "New Zealand plans to ban social media for under-16s.",
    "Online Safety Bill could fine companies up to 10% of global revenue.",
    "Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook targeted for compliance."
  ],
  "editors_take": "New Zealand's planned ban on social media for under-16s marks a stricter approach to protecting young people, following similar moves by other countries, and puts pressure on major platforms to comply.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Nikkei Asia",
        "title": "New Zealand moves to ban social media for under-16s",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/new-zealand-moves-to-ban-social-media-for-under-16s-2972189",
        "published": "2026-08-24T05:43:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "New Zealand moves to ban social media for under-16s",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/new-zealand-moves-to-ban-social-media-for-under-16s-2953265",
        "published": "2026-08-24T05:52:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "New Zealand moves to ban social media for under-16s",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/new-zealand-moves-to-ban-social-media-for-under-16s-2961466",
        "published": "2026-08-24T06:42:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RTE News",
        "title": "New Zealand moves to ban social media for under-16s",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/new-zealand-moves-to-ban-social-media-for-under-16s-2965247",
        "published": "2026-08-24T06:42:49.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}