Government moves to ban under-16s from social media

Children aged under 16 would be banned from social media under legislation the government is introducing to parliament.

The Online Safety (Minimum Age and Child Safety Risk Assessment) Bill would require high-risk social media platforms to take reasonable steps to check users are aged 16 or older.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the government wants technology companies to take greater responsibility for protecting children online.

“We simply cannot accept the harm being done to a generation of New Zealand children,” he says.

“One in three children aged between 13 and 17 are now spending at least five hours on social media a day.

“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.

“Obviously, parents have a role to play in monitoring what social media platform their children are on, but so do social media companies.

“We have protections to keep children safe in the real world and we need them in the virtual world too.”

Under the proposed legislation, high-risk social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and Facebook would be required to take reasonable steps to establish whether users are aged 16 or older.

The methods could include existing account information, facial age estimation, digital ID services and formal identification.

Platforms used by children would also be required to regularly assess the risks they pose and report on how those risks are being identified and reduced.

Companies that fail to meet their obligations could face penalties of up to 10 per cent of a platform’s global revenue.

The proposed regulatory framework would also cover emerging technologies, including AI companion platforms.

An online safety regulator would be established within the Department of Internal Affairs to independently monitor compliance, investigate platforms and enforce the law.

Education Minister Erica Stanford says the proposed legislation places the responsibility for compliance on technology companies rather than children and their families.

“The Bill places legal obligations on platforms. No penalties are proposed for children, their parents or caregivers,” she says.

“It doesn’t just introduce a minimum age requirement. It creates an enduring framework that can evolve alongside technology and holds platforms responsible for understanding and reducing the risks they create for children.”

Stanford says the Bill would bring New Zealand into line with other countries that are placing greater responsibility on technology companies to protect children online.

Alongside the proposed legislative changes, the government says it will work to strengthen education and public awareness about online safety.

The aim is to provide parents, schools and communities with information and tools to help children navigate the online world safely.

Luxon acknowledges the proposed restrictions are unlikely to prevent every child aged under 16 from accessing social media.

“We know that we will not get every single child off social media, but early evidence from Australia shows minimum age requirements are already changing behaviour,” he says.

“This is about making a meaningful difference now and changing the norm for future generations.”

The Online Safety (Minimum Age and Child Safety Risk Assessment) Bill is due to be introduced to parliament today, August 24.