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New Zealand Prime Minister Proposes Social Media Ban for Children Under 16
WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has introduced a new legislative proposal aimed at prohibiting children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms. Luxon cited concerns over the detrimental impact social media is having on young people, describing the issue as “harm being done to a generation.”
Despite the introduction, the bill currently lacks sufficient support to pass into law. Two of the three parties within Luxon’s coalition government have declared their opposition, and the ruling National Party would need backing from opposition lawmakers to advance the legislation. However, the opposition has yet to make a final decision on their stance.
Parliament is currently dissolved ahead of the November election, which means there was insufficient time to complete the necessary voting process before October 1. Typically, bills must pass through three readings over several months before becoming law.
Following Global Trends on Age Restrictions
If reelected, Luxon aims to position New Zealand alongside a growing number of countries that have imposed or are considering age restrictions on social media use. He referenced 2025 research indicating that one-third of New Zealand teenagers spend at least five hours daily on social media platforms.
“Social media is exposing them to harmful content, addictive technology, and pressures they are not equipped to deal with. It’s affecting their family life, mental health, sleep, and education,” Luxon stated.
The proposed legislation would require platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook to implement “reasonable steps” to verify that users are at least 16 years old. Verification methods might include checking existing account information, facial age estimation technology, digital ID services, or formal identification.
Certain platforms would be exempt, such as messaging apps like WhatsApp, online gaming platforms including Roblox, and AI-based productivity tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot.
While no penalties would be directed at parents or children, technology companies failing to comply could face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue. Additionally, platforms commonly used by children would need to conduct risk assessments and report on potential harms posed by their services.
Divisions Within Government and Mixed Public Responses
Luxon’s proposal follows Australia’s pioneering ban, which came into effect in December 2025. However, the bill faces strong opposition from coalition partners ACT and NZ First, both of which have reaffirmed their intention to vote against it. The largest opposition party, Labour, remains undecided.
Internationally, countries including Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia have also enacted similar age restrictions, with others actively considering such measures. While child safety advocates and some parents support age limits as protective measures, privacy groups raise concerns about the effectiveness of enforcement and the risks associated with mandatory identity verification.
Following Australia’s ban, social media companies reportedly revoked access to approximately 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children.
In a related move to protect young people’s wellbeing, Luxon’s government implemented a ban in 2024 on the use of cellphones during school hours for all students.
As New Zealand prepares for its upcoming election, the future of this social media age restriction remains uncertain, highlighting the ongoing debate over how best to safeguard children in the digital age.