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 legisla

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says, ''Social media is exposing them to harmful content, addictive technology, and pressures they are not equipped to deal with and it's affecting their family life, mental health, sleep, and education'

National Party ministers announced on Monday that New Zealand would follow Australia in banning social media for under-16s.

New Zealand's government has introduced legislation to ban under 16s from using social media, joining a number of countries seeking to keep youngsters off sites such as Instagram and TikTok.

New Zealand proposes a ban on social media for under-16s, citing mental health concerns and harmful content. Learn about the new legislation and potential

New Zealand has been investigating a social media ban for over a year, after neighbouring Australia implemented its world-first legislation in December.

New Zealand’s prime minister proposes banning children from using social media  Toronto Star

New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has unveiled a bill that would ban children younger than 16 from using social media

New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has unveiled a bill that would ban children younger than 16 from using social media

The government is set to follow Australia's lead and introduce a bill banning children from social media. But the plan already faces opposition from within the ruling coalition.

Under New Zealand’s proposed law, social media firms could be fined up to 10% of their global revenue if they fail to comply.

The bill would require social media platforms to take reasonable steps to verify users' ages, including by utilizing existing account information and facial technology.

Prime minister Christopher Luxon’s party to introduce bill seeking the ban, citing harm to a generation of children New Zealand prime minister Christopher Luxon has said his party will introduce a bill in parliament that ⁠seeks to ban children ⁠under ​16 from using social media, proposing fines of up to 10% of a platfo

New ⁠Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Monday his party would introduce a bill in parliament that seeks to ban children under 16 from using social media, proposing fines of up to 10 per cent of a ‌platform’s global revenue for non-compliance. The bill would require social media platforms to take reasonab

Bill seeks to ban children under 16 from using social media, and proposes fines of up to 10 per cent of a platform’s global revenue for non-compliance

A new bill will put pressure on social media companies to comply, while also establishing an online safety regulator and setting up a penalty regime.

"Social media is exposing them to harmful content, addictive technology and pressures they are not equipped to deal with, and it's affecting their family life, mental health, sleep, and education," New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said.

New Zealand to introduce bill banning social media for children under 16  Reuters

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