New Zealand's government has introduced legislation that would prohibit children under 16 from accessing social media platforms, with penalties of up to 10 percent of a company's global revenue for non-compliance. The move faces internal coalition opposition despite being framed as necessary to protect children's…

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced on Monday that his government will present a bill in Parliament designed to restrict social media access for children under 16 years old. The legislation would impose significant financial penalties on platforms that fail to comply, with fines reaching up to 10 percent of their global revenue. According to Luxon, the measure is essential to address mounting concerns about social media's negative effects on young people.

The proposed bill would require social media companies to implement age verification mechanisms using various methods, including analysis of existing account data, facial recognition technology, and digital identity documents. Luxon stated that social media exposes children to harmful content, addictive features, and developmental pressures while negatively affecting their family relationships, mental health, sleep patterns, and academic performance. However, the Prime Minister acknowledged that the approach would not be foolproof, noting that some young people would likely find workarounds despite the restrictions.

The bill's passage remains uncertain, as a key coalition partner has already signaled opposition. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, who serves as foreign minister, rejected the legislation on X, arguing that it represents a concerning regulatory direction. Peters cited Australia's December 2024 social media ban for children under 16 as a cautionary example, calling that law a "colossal failure" and contending that parental responsibility should be the primary safeguard against inappropriate social media use.

Australia's earlier ban targeted platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. The disagreement between Luxon's party and its coalition partner Peters creates doubt about whether the New Zealand bill will secure sufficient parliamentary support for approval.