New Zealand Under-16 Social Media Ban Bill Paused Amid Party Divide

The member’s bill introduced by National MP Catherine Wedd to bar users under 16 from social media has been placed on hold. Education Minister Erica Stanford confirmed the pause while an online-harms program is developed. The bill, drawn from the member’s ballot in October 2025, sits third on the order paper.

Otago Daily Times

Consensus acknowledges social media harms to youth. The proposal mirrors Australia’s recent under-16 ban, which requires platforms to take “reasonable steps” to block under-16 access and imposes fines up to A$49.5 million (?NZ$60 million). New Zealand also considers rules on deep-fake apps, algorithm transparency and advertising.

The enemy of my enemy…: Opposition parties team up to push back against social media ban

• May 2024 – Wedd lodges the bill.

Otago Daily Times

• Oct 2025 – Bill drawn from ballot.

Otago Daily Times

• Nov 2025 – PM Luxon backs a pre-election ban.

The enemy of my enemy…: Opposition parties team up to push back against social media ban

• May 2026 – Select committee reports; Minister announces the hold.

Otago Daily Times

Australia’s ban, effective April 2026, forces platforms to enforce age verification and carries penalties up to A$49.5 million (NZ$60 million). New Zealand’s draft would apply similar age limits but has not set penalties.

The enemy of my enemy…: Opposition parties team up to push back against social media ban

Supporters say an under-16 ban could curb cyberbullying, self-harm content and targeted ads. Opponents warn bans are easy to evade, risking isolation of vulnerable groups such as LGBTQ+ youth.

The enemy of my enemy…: Opposition parties team up to push back against social media ban

Education Minister Stanford said the government is pursuing a wider online-harms programme and that Wedd’s bill is on hold, with updates due soon. Prime Minister Luxon reaffirmed his “deeply supportive” stance on an under-16 ban and signaled intent to act before the election.

Otago Daily Times

ACT and the Greens argue the ban would be ineffective, noting teenagers can bypass age checks with makeup or fake facial features. They also warn it could further isolate at-risk groups, including rainbow communities, and that online harms affect older users too.

The enemy of my enemy…: Opposition parties team up to push back against social media ban

The government cites a comprehensive online-harms strategy, while opposition parties point to limited evidence on the ban’s effectiveness and possible unintended effects. No consensus exists on alternative regulation, and the select committee’s full recommendations remain pending.

The enemy of my enemy…: Opposition parties team up to push back against social media ban

• “We are not going to be able to get rid of social media. We can’t turn off the internet,” — Swarbrick, Green MP

The enemy of my enemy…: Opposition parties team up to push back against social media ban

• “— ? Free Speech Union ? (@NZFreeSpeech) May 15, 2026 Parmar said the select committee process “was not done properly”.” — Parmar, Free Speech Union

The enemy of my enemy…: Opposition parties team up to push back against social media ban

• “The government is undertaking a wider programme of work in this area and Wedd's bill is on hold for the moment. We are continuing to work through the process and will have more to say soon.” — Education Minister Erica Stanford

Otago Daily Times

• “Certainly before the term, yes we'll have our first go at making sure we can put the ban for under-16s in place.” — Prime Minister Christopher Luxon

Otago Daily Times

The Education Ministry will release an update on the broader online-harms framework within the next month. If the framework includes age-verification provisions, the under-16 ban may be reconsidered in a later parliamentary session.

The enemy of my enemy…: Opposition parties team up to push back against social media ban