Archive · 25 Aug 2026
New Zealand Plans Under-16 Social Media Ban Bill
New Zealand wants to make a rule that would stop children under 16 from using social media.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says his party will introduce the proposal in Parliament.
Social media companies would have to take reasonable steps to check users’ ages.
They might use account details, facial technology or digital identity documents.
Companies that do not follow the rule could receive very large fines.
Luxon says social media can expose children to harmful content and unhealthy pressures.
His coalition partner, New Zealand First, does not support the plan.
The party says parents, not the government, should decide whether children use social media, so the bill may not pass.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said his party will introduce a Parliament bill seeking to ban social media use by children under 16.
Platforms could face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue if they fail to comply.
The proposal would require reasonable age verification using account information, facial technology or digital identity documents.
Luxon said harmful content, addictive technology and online pressures are affecting children’s family life, mental health, sleep and education.
Coalition partner New Zealand First opposes the bill, calling it a potential “slippery slope” and saying parents should keep children off social media.
- Who
- Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his party are proposing the bill; coalition partner New Zealand First and its leader Winston Peters oppose it.
- What
- A bill would seek to ban social media use by children under 16 and fine noncompliant platforms up to 10% of their global revenue.
- When
- Luxon announced the plan on Monday; the articles do not provide a calendar date for the announcement.
- Where
- The bill is to be introduced in the New Zealand Parliament.
- Why
- The government says social media exposes children to harmful content, addictive technology and pressures affecting family life, mental health, sleep and education.
Government’s Child-Safety Case
New Zealand First’s Objections
Need for a ban
Government’s Child-Safety Case
Luxon says New Zealand cannot accept the harm being done to children and that the risks make the proposal important to attempt.
New Zealand First’s Objections
New Zealand First says the legislation could put the country on a “slippery slope” and opposes its direction.
Responsibility for enforcement
Government’s Child-Safety Case
The proposal would require platforms to take reasonable steps to verify users’ ages, backed by potentially large fines.
New Zealand First’s Objections
Peters says keeping children off social media should be the responsibility of parents.
Effectiveness
Government’s Child-Safety Case
Luxon accepts that the measure will not remove every child from social media but says it is still worth trying.
New Zealand First’s Objections
Peters describes Australia’s legislation as a “colossal failure,” raising doubts about the approach’s effectiveness.
- Proposed age limit
- Children under 16 would be prohibited from using social media.
- Maximum platform fine
- Up to 10% of a platform’s global revenue.
- Age verification
- Possible methods include existing account information, facial technology and digital identity documents.
- Government rationale
- Luxon cited harmful content, addictive technology and effects on children’s family life, mental health, sleep and education.
- Coalition opposition
- New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said his party would not support the legislation.
- Implementation limits
- Luxon acknowledged that enforcement would not be simple or perfect and that some children would find ways around the rules.
- Australian precedent
- The articles say Australia became the first country to ban social media for children under 16.
Sources
New Zealand to introduce bill banning social media for children under 16
New Zealand moves to ban social media for under-16s, platforms face hefty fines - Telegraph India
New Zealand to introduce bill banning social media for children under 16; coalition partners call it ‘slippery slope’
