New Zealand is moving closer to restricting social media access for children under 16, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announcing plans for legislation aimed at tackling growing concerns over online harm. The proposed bill would require major social media platforms to take reasonable steps to verify users’ ages, with companies potentially facing fines of up to 10% of their global revenue for failing to comply.
The government says the measure is designed to protect young people from harmful content, addictive technology and online pressures that can affect sleep, education and family life. However, the proposal faces political hurdles, with coalition partners raising concerns about enforcement, privacy and whether regulation should instead remain primarily a parental responsibility. The debate places New Zealand at the centre of a growing international push to strengthen safeguards for children online.
