New Zealand's prime minister proposes banning children from using social media

New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has unveiled a proposed law banning children younger than 16 from using social media platforms, citing what he said Monday was "harm being done to a generation" of young people.

New Zealand’s prime minister, Christopher Luxon, has unveiled a proposed law banning children younger than 16 from using social media platforms, citing what he said Monday was “harm being done to a generation” of young people. However, the bill hasn’t yet attracted enough support to pass into law because two of the thr

The government faces opposition to its proposals from MPs who believe a ban will not work.

The proposal marks New Zealand as the latest country to mull such a law since Australia enacted its world-first under-16s social media ban in December 2025.

The latest country to introduce a social media ban for kids? New Zealand.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has unveiled a proposed law banning children younger than 16 from using social media platforms, citing what he said Monday was “harm being done to a generation” of young people.

Under the proposed law, firms like Meta could be fined up to 10% of their global revenue if they fail to comply.

NEW ZEALAND’S Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today unveiled a proposed law banning children younger than 16 from using social media platforms. Mr Luxon cited what he said was “harm being done to a generation” of young people. He said 2025 research showed a third of New Zealand teenagers spent at least five hours a da

New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon proposed banning children under sixteen from social media. This legislation aims to protect young people from harmful online content and addictive technologies. However, two coalition parties oppose the bill, which may require opposition support to pass. Australia enact

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'

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

"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

Scientific data and field observations confirm the harmful effects of addictive digital platforms on the physical and mental health of young people, write Amine Benyamina and Servane Mouton, co-chairs of the Commission on Children and Screens.

Scientific data and field observations confirm the harmful effects of addictive digital platforms on the physical and mental health of young people, write Amine Benyamina and Servane Mouton, co-chairs of the Commission on Children and Screens.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe children under the age of 16 should not be allowed on social media, according to new research.

Social media fosters empathy and awareness, but cannot replace evidence-based treatment or formal psychological care.

….Zuckerberg, Mosseri expected to testify …FCCPC previously secured $220m fine against Meta, WhatsApp By Juliet Umeh Social media is facing one of its biggest legal tests as Meta Platforms, parent company of Facebook and Instagram, battles 29 US states over allegations that it deliberately designed its platforms in way