{
  "id": 3068035,
  "title": "New Zealand to introduce bill for under-16s social media ban",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/new-zealand-to-introduce-bill-for-under-16s-social-media-ban-3068035",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-24T16:43:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/new-zealand-to-introduce-bill-for-under-16s-social-media-ban/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "New Zealand is set to introduce legislation aimed at preventing individuals under the age of 16 from using social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook. Under the proposed bill, these platforms will need to implement measures to verify users' ages, with fines of up to 10% of a company's global revenue looming for non-compliance. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has expressed concern over the exposure of children to \"harmful content, addictive technology and pressures they are not equipped to deal with.\" However, opposition from several political parties has been voiced, with both the Act and New Zealand First (NZF) parties planning to vote against the bill. Critics argue that the ban is ineffective and will lead to a slippery slope. The bill follows similar restrictions in Australia and upcoming measures in the UK and Greece. Luxon emphasized the need for safeguards in the digital realm, akin to those in the real world, citing impacts on children's family life, mental health, sleep and education.",
  "summary": "New Zealand is to introduce a bill seeking to ban under-16s from using social media. Under the latest proposals, platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook, will have to take steps to check users are over 16 and platforms that fail to meet their obligations could face fines of up to 10% of their global […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}