New Zealand to introduce bill banning social media for children under 16
New Zealand is introducing legislation to ban social media and AI companions for children under 16, utilizing strict age verification and fines of up to 10 percent of a platform's global revenue. This move follows a similar model in Australia and aligns with efforts in France, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. Kazakhstan is now also considering a registration ban for users under 16. While the main opposition supports the New Zealand bill, coalition partners remain resistant with an election scheduled in 11 days.
What changed
Kazakhstan has joined the global trend by considering a social media registration ban for children under 16.
Live updates
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New Zealand pursues social media ban for under-16s as global restrictions grow
New Zealand is introducing legislation to ban social media and AI companions for children under 16, utilizing strict age verification and fines of up to 10 percent of a platform's global revenue. This move follows a similar model in Australia and aligns with efforts in France, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. Kazakhstan is now also considering a registration ban for users under 16. While the main opposition supports the New Zealand bill, coalition partners remain resistant with an election scheduled in 11 days.
Why it matters
Governments are increasingly targeting social media's impact on youth through legislative age limits. This trend coincides with legal pressures on platforms, such as a settlement where Meta will pay up to $18 billion to US states over teen addiction.
What is confirmed
- New Zealand is proposing a social media and AI companion ban for children under 16.
- Proposed New Zealand legislation includes fines up to 10 percent of a platform's global revenue for non-compliance.
- France, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates are pursuing age limits for social media.
What to watch next
- The outcome of the New Zealand election in 11 days
- Legislative decisions regarding social media registration in Kazakhstan
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New Zealand joins global trend of under-16 social media bans
New Zealand is introducing a bill to ban social media and AI companions for children under 16, mirroring a model recently adopted by Australia. The legislation proposes strict age verification and fines reaching 10 percent of a platform's global revenue for non-compliance. New Zealand joins France, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates in pursuing age limits for social media. While the main opposition supports the move, coalition partners resist the proposal ahead of an election scheduled in 11 days.
Why it matters
The move follows a global shift toward regulating Big Tech's impact on minors. Australia is currently strengthening its own under-16 laws amid allegations that platforms use dirty tricks to bypass rules. Meta recently agreed to a settlement of up to $16.68 billion over child safety claims.
What is confirmed
- New Zealand plans to introduce a bill banning social media and AI companions for children under 16.
- Proposed penalties for non-compliance include fines of up to 10 percent of a platform's global revenue.
- Australia has implemented a social media ban for minors.
- France, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates are also seeking to introduce social media age limits.
Still unconfirmed
- Meta will only release the final 30% of its $18bn settlement if TikTok and YouTube adopt its teen rules.
- Australia is moving to strengthen under-16 laws due to claims that platforms use dirty tricks.
What to watch next
- The outcome of the New Zealand election in 11 days.
- The response of coalition partners to the proposed legislation.
- The result of Australian investigations into Facebook and TikTok.
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New Zealand to introduce social media ban for children under 16
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced Monday that his party will introduce a bill in Parliament to ban children under 16 from using social media and AI companions. The legislation proposes requiring stronger age verification and imposes fines of up to 10 percent of a platform's global revenue for non-compliance. While the main opposition party supports the measure, the proposal faces resistance from coalition partners and an upcoming election in 11 days. The bill follows a similar model recently implemented in Australia.
Why it matters
The move responds to concerns over addiction among younger teens. New Zealand is mirroring an Australian-style ban, though recent data suggests Australia's age controls have not significantly changed teen behavior.
What is confirmed
- Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced his party will introduce a bill to ban children under 16 from social media.
- The proposed legislation includes fines of up to 10 percent of a platform's global revenue for violations.
- The bill seeks to restrict access to both social media platforms and AI companions.
- The legislation would require platforms to implement stronger age checks for users.
Still unconfirmed
- The main opposition party supports the social media ban for under-16s.
- The ban faces opposition from coalition partners.
- Labour recognizes the issue but requires more detail before supporting the ban.
- An election is scheduled to take place in 11 days.
What to watch next
- The formal introduction of the bill in Parliament
- The outcome of the upcoming election
- Confirmation of support or opposition from coalition partners
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (20)
- BBC — New Zealand moves to ban children under 16 from social media
- Bloomberg — New Zealand Plans Social Media Ban for Under-16s
- Reuters — New Zealand to introduce bill banning social media for children under 16
- Euronews.com — New Zealand introduces legislation to ban social media for under-16s
- Fast Company — The New Zealand prime minister proposes a social media ban for children under 16
- RNZ — Govt pushes ahead with social media ban for under-16s
- PBS — New Zealand's prime minister proposes banning children from using social media
- U.S. News & World Report — New Zealand's Main Opposition Party Supports Social Media Ban for Under-16s
- www.econotimes.com — New Zealand Labour Backs Social Media Ban for Under-16s
- pajhwok.com — New Zealand proposes social media ban for under-16s
- www.newsbytesapp.com — New Zealand proposes social media ban for children under 16
- www.startupdaily.net — New Zealand wants to introduce an under 16 social media ban too