New Zealand Proposes Ban on Social Media for Under-16s

Background to the proposal

In early 2024 the New Zealand government announced its intention to introduce legislation that would prevent anyone under the age of 16 from creating accounts on mainstream social media platforms. The move follows a growing international debate about the mental‑health impact of social media on young people and comes after Australia passed a similar law in 2023.

Details of the bill

The draft bill, titled the Under‑16 Social Media Restriction Act, outlines several key provisions:

• Social media companies would be required to verify the age of every new user before allowing account creation.
• Existing accounts belonging to users who turn 16 would remain active, but those under 16 would be automatically deactivated unless parental consent is provided.
• Platforms must remove any content that is targeted at under‑16 users and must not display personalised advertising to them.
• Non‑compliance could result in fines of up to NZ$1 million per breach.

The legislation also establishes a new oversight body within the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment to monitor enforcement and handle complaints.

Political landscape and coalition opposition

New Zealand is governed by a coalition of the Labour Party, the Green Party and the Māori Party. While the Labour leadership has championed the bill as a necessary step to protect children, dissent has emerged from within the coalition.

Green Party concerns

The Greens argue that the ban could drive young people to use unregulated or underground platforms, increasing exposure to harmful content. They have called for a more nuanced approach that focuses on digital literacy and parental education rather than outright prohibition.

Māori Party perspective

The Māori Party stresses the importance of cultural context in any digital policy. They warn that a blanket ban may not address the specific ways Māori youth engage with online communities and could inadvertently marginalise them.

Comparisons with Australia’s approach

Australia’s eSafety Commission introduced a law in 2023 that similarly restricts social media access for those under 16. Early evaluations suggest mixed outcomes. While some parents report reduced screen time, others note that teenagers have shifted to messaging apps that fall outside the scope of the law.

New Zealand officials have cited the Australian experience as a learning tool, stating that the current proposal includes stricter verification mechanisms and higher penalties for non‑compliance.

Potential impacts on children and families

Research from the UNICEF office on children and digital media indicates that excessive social media use is linked to anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances among adolescents. Proponents of the ban argue that limiting access before the age of 16 could mitigate these risks.

Critics, however, point to studies from the University of Auckland that highlight the role of online platforms in fostering social connections, especially in remote communities. They caution that removing a key communication channel may have unintended social consequences.

Parental responsibilities

The bill places additional duties on parents to verify ages and manage consent. This could create a burden for families lacking digital literacy or access to reliable identification methods.

Public reaction and expert opinions

Public opinion polls conducted by the New Zealand Statistics Office show that 58% of respondents support stronger regulation of social media for minors, while 27% oppose any form of ban.

Digital‑rights organisations such as Electronic Frontier Foundation have voiced concerns about privacy implications of mandatory age verification, warning that data collection could expose children to new risks.

Next steps for the legislation

The bill is scheduled for its first reading in Parliament later this month. If it passes the initial stage, it will move to a select committee where amendments can be proposed. Given the internal coalition disagreements, the final version may include compromises such as extended grace periods for existing accounts or optional parental consent pathways.

Stakeholders, including schools, child‑welfare NGOs and tech companies, have been invited to submit written submissions during the committee stage. The outcome will likely shape New Zealand’s broader digital‑policy agenda for the next decade.

Regardless of the final shape of the law, the debate underscores a global shift toward re‑examining how societies balance the benefits of connectivity with the need to safeguard young minds.