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New Zealand moves to ban social media for under-16s

New Zealand's prime minister intends to ban social media for children under 16, proposing fines up to 10% of global revenue for non-compliant platforms. The plan requires enhanced age verification and has gained support from the main opposition party. This legislative push mirrors a recent law in Australia, though that measure had minimal impact. Kazakhstan's President Tokayev has expressed support for a similar ban, indicating a growing international trend toward restricting youth access to social platforms through strict financial penalties and verification mandates.

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What changed

No new developments regarding the New Zealand social media ban were provided in the latest source material.

Live updates

  1. New Zealand proposes social media ban for under-16s

    New Zealand's prime minister intends to ban social media for children under 16, proposing fines up to 10% of global revenue for non-compliant platforms. The plan requires enhanced age verification and has gained support from the main opposition party. This legislative push mirrors a recent law in Australia, though that measure had minimal impact. Kazakhstan's President Tokayev has expressed support for a similar ban, indicating a growing international trend toward restricting youth access to social platforms through strict financial penalties and verification mandates.

    Why it matters

    The proposal seeks to address youth safety and mental health by shifting the burden of age verification onto platforms. It follows a pattern of similar attempts in other jurisdictions to regulate digital access for minors. The effectiveness of such bans remains debated given the limited results of the Australian law.

    What to watch next

    • Legislative vote on the ban in New Zealand
    • Details on the specific age verification technology required
    • Updates on the impact of the Australian social media law
    Sources used for this update (8)
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    confidence 100%

  2. New Zealand moves to ban social media for under-16s

    New Zealand's prime minister has proposed banning social media for children under 16, with platforms facing fines of up to 10% of their global revenue for non-compliance. The plan, supported by the main opposition party, requires stronger age verification checks. Kazakhstan's President Tokayev also supports a similar ban. The move follows a similar law in Australia with minimal impact.

    Why it matters

    The proposed ban in New Zealand comes as an election looms in 11 days. It is part of a growing trend of countries introducing age restrictions on social media amid concerns over its impact on young people. The initiative has sparked debate, with coalition partners resisting the measure.

    What is confirmed

    • Meta agreed to pay up to $18 billion over the next decade and impose restrictions on teenagers using Instagram and Facebook.
    • Kazakhstan is considering banning children under 16 from registering on social media.
    • New Zealand's prime minister proposed a ban on social media for children under 16.
    • The main opposition party in New Zealand supports the measure.
    • Meta will release the final 30% of its $18bn settlement if TikTok and YouTube adopt its teen rules.

    Still unconfirmed

    • A national inquest is underway about the loss of France-born Ayyoub Bouaddi to the Morocco national side.
    • At least 26 consumers have complained about a dealer selling new vehicles without authorised servicing.

    What to watch next

    • The implementation of New Zealand's proposed ban
    • The impact of Australia's similar law on teen behavior
    • Kazakhstan's decision on banning social media for under-16s
    Sources used for this update (8)
    1. thenextweb.com — Meta is holding back $5.3bn unless TikTok and YouTube match its teen rules
    2. 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 …
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    4. au.sports.yahoo.com — Maguire’s sharp six word response to coaching future
    5. qazinform.com — Kazakhstan joins worldwide drive to protect children on social media
    6. www.netinfluencer.com — How Meta’s Youth Safety Settlement Impacts Creator Campaigns: 15 Creator Economy Experts Weigh In
    7. www.babushahi.com — Nepal: 475 bodies recovered as Bhotekoshi flood death toll rises, rescue ops underway
    8. anewz.tv — Kazakhstan's President Tokayev says he supports social media ban for under-16s
    confidence 80%

  3. New Zealand proposes social media ban for children under 16

    The New Zealand prime minister has proposed a ban on social media for children under 16. The plan includes requiring platforms to implement stronger age verification checks and threatens fines of up to 10% of a company's global revenue for non-compliance. While the main opposition party supports the measure, the proposal faces resistance from coalition partners. The initiative arrives as an election looms in 11 days and follows a similar law in Australia that has shown minimal impact on teen behavior.

    Why it matters

    Governments are increasingly targeting social media access for minors to mitigate online risks. New Zealand is following Australia's lead, though data suggests similar restrictions in Australia barely shifted usage patterns. Legal experts have raised concerns regarding the feasibility of age verification without compromising the privacy of all users.

    What is confirmed

    • New Zealand is moving to ban children under 16 from using social media.
    • The proposal for the social media ban came from the prime minister.
    • The main opposition party in New Zealand supports the under-16 social media ban.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Non-compliant platforms could face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue.
    • The ban faces opposition from coalition partners.
    • An election is scheduled to take place in 11 days.
    • Qustodio data indicates TikTok use among Australian 13 to 15 year-olds dropped by one percentage point eight months after their ban.

    What to watch next

    • The results of the upcoming election in 11 days
    • Legislative details on the proposed age verification requirements
    • Official responses from social media platforms regarding the 10% revenue fine
    Sources used for this update (10)
    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. AP News — New Zealand’s prime minister proposes banning children from using social media
    4. Reuters — New Zealand's main opposition party supports social media ban for under-16s
    5. www.yahoo.com — New Zealand Now Wants to Ban Social Media for Under-16s
    6. www.techrepublic.com — New Zealand Proposes Social Media Ban With Fines Up to 10%
    7. Yahoo — New Zealand moves to ban social media for under-16s
    8. www.newstalkzb.co.nz — Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Here's why I'm more optimistic about the social media ban
    9. thenextweb.com — Eight months after Australia’s ban, teen TikTok use is down one percentage point
    10. www.lawfuel.com — NZ’s Social Media Ban Has a Lawyer Problem: How Do You Keep 15-Year-Olds Out Without Checking Everyone Else?
    confidence 90%