New Zealand proposes social media ban for under-16s, fines up to 10% of global revenue

New Zealand has announced plans to introduce legislation that would ban children under 16 from using social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook. The proposed bill would require these platforms to implement age-verification measures to ensure users are above the minimum age, with penalties for non-compliance reaching up to 10% of a company's global revenue.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the move is aimed at protecting children from what he described as “harmful content, addictive technology, and pressures they are not equipped to deal with.” He emphasised that social media is adversely affecting children's family life, mental health, sleep, and education. “We have protections to keep children safe in the real world, and we need them in the virtual world too,” Luxon added.

The announcement follows a similar ban introduced in Australia, where under-16s have been restricted from social media platforms. Several other countries, including the United Kingdom and Greece, are also planning to introduce restrictions in the coming year. New Zealand's government has not yet specified which other platforms may be classified as “high risk” and subject to the proposed rules.

However, the bill faces opposition from several political parties in New Zealand. Critics have raised concerns about the feasibility of age verification, potential privacy implications, and the risk of driving young people to less regulated corners of the internet. Some lawmakers have also questioned whether a blanket ban is the most effective approach, suggesting that digital literacy and parental controls might be better alternatives.

Supporters of the bill argue that social media companies have failed to self-regulate adequately and that government intervention is necessary to safeguard minors. They point to research linking heavy social media use among adolescents to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and poor body image. The proposed fines, they say, would create a strong financial incentive for platforms to uphold age restrictions.

In response to the announcement, tech industry groups have expressed concerns about implementation challenges. Age-verification systems often require collection of personal data, such as government-issued identification or facial recognition, which raises privacy and data security questions. Some experts also note that tech-savvy teenagers may find ways to bypass such measures using virtual private networks (VPNs) or alternative accounts.

The bill is expected to be introduced in New Zealand's parliament in the coming months. If passed, it would mark one of the most stringent regulatory actions against social media companies to date. The government has not yet set a timeline for the rollout, but Luxon indicated that the legislation is a priority for his administration.

This development highlights a growing global trend towards tighter regulation of social media platforms, particularly concerning their impact on minors. As more countries consider similar measures, the debate over balancing child safety, individual privacy, and freedom of expression is likely to intensify.