New Zealand Plans Under-16 Social Media Ban With 10% Revenue Fines
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Aug 24
New Zealand Plans Under-16 Social Media Ban With 10% Revenue Fines
3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Aug 24
Summary
Monday’s Online Safety Bill would require high-risk platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and Facebook to take reasonable steps to verify users are at least 16.
New Zealand says the measure targets online harm to children, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon citing harmful content and addictive platform design behind the proposed restrictions.
Fines could reach 10% of global revenue for companies that fail to comply, with age checks potentially using existing account data, facial technology or digital IDs.
Nov. 7 elections make passage before voters go to the polls unlikely, and coalition partner New Zealand First has already criticized Australia’s similar December ban as a failure.
New Zealand’s move places it in a broader global push by governments to curb minors’ access to social media through tougher platform accountability.