WELLINGTON: A New Zealand social media ban bill targeting under-16s was introduced Monday, but Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said it will not reach a first-reading vote before the November election.
The Online Safety (Minimum Age and Child Safety Risk Assessment) Bill would require high-risk platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and Facebook to take reasonable steps to ensure users are at least 16. Non-compliant companies could face penalties of up to 10% of their global revenue.
Age checks could use existing account information, facial age-estimation technology, digital identity services or formal identification. The bill would also establish an online safety regulator within New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs to investigate platforms and enforce compliance.
Luxon said social media was exposing children to harmful content and addictive technology while affecting sleep, education, mental health and family life. The original proposal similarly placed responsibility on platforms to verify users’ ages rather than penalising children or parents.
The bill also extends beyond conventional social networks by bringing social AI companion platforms within the regulatory framework. Productivity-focused AI services and several messaging, gaming and professional platforms are excluded from the under-16 restriction under the current proposal.
Luxon’s National Party, however, lacks coalition support. New Zealand First leader and Foreign Minister Winston Peters said his party would not support the legislation, while ACT leader David Seymour also confirmed his party would vote against it.
Read: UK Announces Social Media Ban For Kids Under 16
Australia introduced similar restrictions on December 10, 2025, requiring platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 from holding accounts.
