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

TechnologyProposed penalties could be as high as 10% of tech companies' global revenueNew Zealand is looking to follow Australia's lead in restricting social media access for minors. (Nikkei montage/Source photo by Getty Images)SHAUN TURTONAugust 24, 2026 16:29 JSTCANBERRA -- New Zealand's government introduced legislation on Monday to ban children under 16 years old from social media, becoming the latest country to threaten some of the world's largest tech companies with penalties should they fail to exclude most kids from their services.