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

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

WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s government is set to introduce a bill in Parliament on Monday aimed at restricting social media access for children under the age of 16, as authorities move to address concerns over the impact of online platforms on young people.

Under the proposed legislation, social media companies that fail to comply with the new rules could face fines of up to 10% of their global annual revenue, making the measure a significant financial deterrent for platforms that do not enforce the age restrictions.

The proposed law would require social media companies to take reasonable steps to verify users’ ages before allowing them to access covered platforms. Possible verification methods could include checking existing account information, using facial recognition technology and accepting digital identity documents.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said social media exposes children to harmful content, addictive technologies and pressures that they may not yet have the maturity or ability to handle.

He said excessive or inappropriate social media use can affect children’s mental health, sleep, education and family life, adding to concerns among parents and policymakers about the growing influence of online platforms on young people.

The government argues that the proposed restrictions would give children greater protection from harmful online experiences while encouraging social media companies to take more responsibility for the safety of younger users.

The bill’s introduction marks a major step in New Zealand’s efforts to regulate children’s access to social media and strengthen safeguards for minors in the digital environment.