New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says his party will introduce a bill in parliament to ban children under 16 from using social media, backed by fines of up to 10% of a platform's global revenue.
Key facts
- New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon's party plans to introduce a bill banning under-16s from social media.
- Platforms could face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue for non-compliance.
- The bill would require platforms to take reasonable steps to verify users' ages.
- Verification methods cited include existing account information, facial technology and digital identity documents.
- Some MPs oppose the plan, arguing a ban will not work.
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, according to the Guardian. Luxon cited harm to a generation of children as the reason behind the proposal.
Under the plan, social media platforms could face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue if they fail to comply with the proposed ban.
The bill would require social media platforms to take reasonable steps to verify users’ ages. According to the Guardian, these steps could include utilising existing account information, facial technology and digital identity documents.
The proposal targets the way children access major platforms, though the age-verification measures would place new obligations on the companies operating them.
The government faces opposition to its proposals, according to the BBC, from MPs who believe a ban will not work.
The debate reflects a broader tension between concerns about protecting children online and questions over whether such restrictions can be effectively enforced in practice.
Why it matters
The proposal places New Zealand among governments weighing legal limits on children's access to social media over concerns about online harm. If passed, the significant fines and age-verification requirements could reshape how major platforms operate for young users, while the internal opposition highlights ongoing doubts about whether such bans can work.
Frequently asked questions
What age would be affected by the proposed ban?
The bill seeks to ban children under 16 from using social media.
What penalties could platforms face?
The proposal includes fines of up to 10% of a platform's global revenue for non-compliance.
How would platforms verify users' ages?
According to the Guardian, platforms would be required to take reasonable steps to verify ages, including using existing account information, facial technology and digital identity documents.