New Zealand Proposes Bill to Restrict Social Media for Under-16s

Kathmandu. Citing potential harm, addiction, and mental health risks from social media, various countries are increasingly restricting social media use based on age for children and adolescents. Some countries have already implemented provisions preventing children under 16 from creating social media accounts, while others are in the process of enacting laws.

In this context, New Zealand has introduced a new bill in parliament aimed at keeping children under 16 away from social media. The 'Online Safety (Minimum Age and Child Safety Risk Assessment) Bill,' announced by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on August 24, proposes to compel high-risk social media platforms to block users under 16. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook will be required to take 'reasonable steps' to ensure users are 16 years or older. Methods for age verification could include existing account details, facial age estimation technology, digital identity, or formal identification. The government has not mandated any single technology.