Live Feeds
● LIVE Updated 1h ago · 26 sources tracked

New Zealand moves to ban children under 16 from social media

New Zealand is moving to prohibit children under 16 from using social media through the Online Safety Bill. The legislation mandates that platforms like Meta, Instagram, and TikTok implement reasonable age verification and safety risk mitigation. Companies failing to comply face fines of up to 10 percent of their global revenue. While the bill includes AI companion platforms and creates a regulator within the Department of Internal Affairs, it exempts parents and children from penalties. This move aligns with a broader international shift toward restricting youth access to online platforms.

RSS Source map (26)

What changed

Kazakhstan is now considering a similar ban for children under 16 as part of a worldwide drive to protect youth on social media.

Live updates

  1. New Zealand pursues social media ban for under-16s as global trend grows

    New Zealand is moving to prohibit children under 16 from using social media through the Online Safety Bill. The legislation mandates that platforms like Meta, Instagram, and TikTok implement reasonable age verification and safety risk mitigation. Companies failing to comply face fines of up to 10 percent of their global revenue. While the bill includes AI companion platforms and creates a regulator within the Department of Internal Affairs, it exempts parents and children from penalties. This move aligns with a broader international shift toward restricting youth access to online platforms.

    Why it matters

    Regulators and lawmakers worldwide are increasing pressure on Big Tech throughout 2026. These measures respond to concerns regarding the impact of social media on young people. New Zealand's approach shifts the legal and financial burden of age verification onto the platforms rather than the users.

    What is confirmed

    • The New Zealand government introduced the Online Safety Bill to ban children under 16 from social media.
    • Non-compliant social media companies face fines up to 10 percent of their global revenue.
    • The Online Safety Bill covers AI companion platforms and establishes a regulator in the Department of Internal Affairs.
    • Parents and children are not subject to penalties under the New Zealand legislation.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Kazakhstan is considering banning children under 16 from registering on social media.
    • Social media giants have faced a wave of setbacks in 2026 due to global regulatory pressure.

    What to watch next

    • Official confirmation of Kazakhstan's decision on the under-16 registration ban.
    • Implementation dates for the New Zealand Online Safety Bill's age verification requirements.
    • Details on the specific safety risk mitigation steps required for platforms like TikTok and Meta.
    Sources used for this update (6)
    1. waateanews.com — #OPINION: I Wasn’t Defending Social Media — I Was Asking Why We Were Letting the Platforms Off the Hook
    2. www.boisestatepublicradio.org — Why Meta's settlement could be an 'inflection point' for reining in Big Tech
    3. www.dailymail.com — The 'boss', the 'brain', the 'general' - and now the 'next Rodri': The making of Ayyoub Bouaddi, Man City's £85.7m gem who has terrified opponents since he was 11 and …
    4. qazinform.com — Kazakhstan joins worldwide drive to protect children on social media
    5. jen.jiji.com — MotoGp, today free practice and pre-qualifying: times and where to watch them on TV (free-to-air)
    6. jen.jiji.com — Serie A, today Milan-Venezia: time, probable lineups and where to watch it
    confidence 90%

  2. New Zealand Introduces Online Safety Bill to Ban Social Media for Under-16s

    The New Zealand government introduced the Online Safety Bill on Monday to prohibit children under 16 from using social media. The legislation requires platforms including TikTok, Instagram, and Meta to implement reasonable age verification steps and mitigate safety risks. Non-compliant companies face fines up to 10 percent of their global revenue, though no penalties apply to parents or children. The bill also brings AI companion platforms into the regulatory regime and establishes an independent online safety regulator within the Department of Internal Affairs.

    Why it matters

    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon proposed the ban after data indicated one in three New Zealanders aged 13-17 spend five or more hours daily on social media. The move follows a similar law implemented in Australia in December 2025. Critics point to Australian data suggesting such bans have minimal impact on teen behavior.

    What is confirmed

    • The Online Safety Bill bans children under 16 from social media platforms.
    • Companies failing to comply with the bill face penalties up to 10 percent of their global revenue.
    • The legislation requires platforms to take reasonable steps to verify the age of users.
    • The bill establishes an independent online safety regulator within the Department of Internal Affairs.
    • Australia implemented a social media ban for children in December 2025.

    Still unconfirmed

    • The bill is viewed by some lawyers as problematic regarding how to verify ages without checking all users.

    What to watch next

    • Results of the upcoming election
    • Legislative debate on age verification methods
    • Official appointment of the independent online safety regulator
    Sources used for this update (8)
    1. www.yahoo.com — New Zealand Now Wants to Ban Social Media for Under-16s
    2. www.techrepublic.com — New Zealand Proposes Social Media Ban With Fines Up to 10%
    3. www.mlex.com — New Zealand introduces bill to ban social media for under-16s
    4. dailytechnewsshow.com — Apple Announces New M6 and M5 Ultra Processors – DTH
    5. www.newstalkzb.co.nz — Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Here's why I'm more optimistic about the social media ban
    6. thenextweb.com — Eight months after Australia’s ban, teen TikTok use is down one percentage point
    7. www.lawfuel.com — NZ’s Social Media Ban Has a Lawyer Problem: How Do You Keep 15-Year-Olds Out Without Checking Everyone Else?
    8. www.turkiyetoday.com — Australian children defy world-first social media ban, data shows
    confidence 90%

  3. New Zealand introduces legislation to ban social media for children under 16

    The New Zealand government is introducing a bill to ban children under 16 from using social media. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon proposes the move following data showing one in three New Zealanders aged 13-17 spend at least five hours daily on these platforms. The legislation targets social media companies with heavy fines, potentially reaching 10 percent of their global revenue, for failing to meet obligations. This move aligns New Zealand with similar efforts in Australia, France, and the UK to restrict youth access to social platforms.

    Why it matters

    The proposal follows a global trend of governments attempting to mitigate the impact of social media on minors. New Zealand is specifically modeling its approach after Australian efforts. Some members of parliament oppose the bill, arguing that a ban will be ineffective.

    What is confirmed

    • New Zealand is introducing legislation to ban social media use for children under 16.
    • Prime Minister Christopher Luxon proposed the social media ban.
    • The legislation targets platforms with heavy fines for failing to meet obligations.
    • New Zealand joins Australia, the UK, and France in a global push to restrict social media for children.

    Still unconfirmed

    • One in three New Zealanders aged 13-17 spends at least five hours daily on social media.
    • The New Zealand Labour party backs the social media ban for under-16s.

    What to watch next

    • Parliamentary vote on the introduced bill
    • Details on how age verification will be enforced
    • Official response from major social media platforms regarding the proposed fines
    Sources used for this update (13)
    1. BBC — New Zealand moves to ban children under 16 from social media
    2. Bloomberg — New Zealand Plans Social Media Ban for Under-16s
    3. Reuters — New Zealand to introduce bill banning social media for children under 16
    4. Euronews.com — New Zealand introduces legislation to ban social media for under-16s
    5. AP News — New Zealand’s prime minister proposes banning children from using social media
    6. Fast Company — The New Zealand prime minister proposes a social media ban for children under 16
    7. RNZ — Govt pushes ahead with social media ban for under-16s
    8. ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation — New Zealand prime minister proposes Australia-style social media ban
    9. www.bbc.co.uk — New Zealand to introduce bill for under-16s social media ban
    10. www.aa.com.tr — New Zealand moves to ban social media for children under 16
    11. www.socialsamosa.com — New Zealand proposes an under-16 social media ban
    12. www.econotimes.com — New Zealand Labour Backs Social Media Ban for Under-16s
    confidence 90%