New Zealand Proposes Under-16 Social-Media Ban

On August 24, 2026 the New Zealand government introduced the *Online Safety (Minimum Age and Child Safety Risk Assessment) Bill*. The draft law would require “high-risk” platforms—including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and Facebook—to verify users are at least 16, using methods such as existing account data, facial-age estimation, digital-ID services or formal ID. Companies that fail to comply could be fined up to 10 % of their global revenue. The bill also extends to AI-companion services, obliges platforms to conduct child-safety risk assessments for users under 18, and creates an online-safety regulator within the Department of Internal Affairs. No penalties are proposed for children, parents or caregivers.

Social Media Ban: New Zealand Moves to Restrict Under-16s New Zealand proposes under-16 social media ban with steep fines for platforms New Zealand Plans Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

New Zealand’s proposal follows Australia’s under-16 ban, which took effect on December 10, 2025. Australian officials cite bullying, “predatory algorithms” and excessive screen time as drivers. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon framed the New Zealand bill as part of a coordinated global effort to protect children from online harm.

DW News

• Government data cited by Luxon indicate that one in three New Zealanders aged 13-17 spend at least five hours per day on social media.

The Saturday Paper

• The bill targets platforms classified as “high-risk”: Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube and X.

The Saturday Paper

• Exempted services include messaging apps (e.g., WhatsApp), online gaming platforms such as Roblox, and productivity-focused AI tools (ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot).

New Zealand joins global push to restrict children's social media use

Education Minister Erica Stanford emphasized that the legal burden falls on platforms, not families, and that the regulator will monitor compliance, investigate breaches and enforce penalties.

China Daily

• David Seymour, leader of ACT, questioned the practicality of age-verification systems and warned the ban could push teens toward “darker corners of the internet.”

The Spinoff

• Huhana Lyndon, Greens spokesperson, described Australia’s attempt as ineffective.

The Spinoff

• Cassandra Mudgway, senior law lecturer at the University of Canterbury, raised privacy concerns, noting that facial-age estimation and digital-ID checks could impose “significant privacy costs” without guaranteeing safety.

China Daily

Assessments of Australia’s ban diverge. A peer-reviewed June study found “little evidence” the ban reduced teenage usage, while New Zealand officials claim “early evidence… already changing behaviour.” No definitive data on long-term impact have been released, leaving the effectiveness of age-based restrictions uncertain.

New Zealand Moves to Ban Social Media for Under-16s, Following Australia

• “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,” — Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister

Associated Press

• “I won't pretend that it will be simple or that it will be perfect,” — Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister

The Independent

• “The bill places legal obligations on platforms. No penalties are proposed for children, their parents or caregivers,” — Erica Stanford, Education Minister

China Daily

Parliament dissolves on October 1 ahead of the November 7 general election, making it unlikely the bill will complete the three-round voting process before the election. If Luxon’s National Party is re-elected, it will need support from opposition parties—Labour, the Greens and Te Pati Maori—to pass the legislation. The regulator’s establishment and the final design of age-verification mechanisms are expected to be refined during the post-election parliamentary session.

ABC News Australia