New Zealand has joined a growing list of nations implementing restrictions on social media access for minors. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon unveiled the Online Safety (Minimum Age and Child Safety Risk Assessment) Bill on Monday, which would prohibit children under 16 from using platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook, as well as AI companion services.
The legislation places significant obligations on technology companies to implement age verification measures and protect young users. Platforms designated as “high risk” must employ reasonable safeguards such as age estimation tools and digital identification services. Additionally, these companies will be required to conduct regular risk assessments for users under 18 and report their findings to a newly established online safety regulator within New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs.
Violations of the bill’s requirements carry substantial financial penalties, with fines reaching up to $40 million or 10 percent of a platform’s global revenue. Following parliamentary approval, technology companies will have six months to comply with the new regulations. Luxon emphasized that child protection must extend beyond parental oversight, stating that social media companies share responsibility for creating safer digital environments similar to protections existing in the physical world.
The move reflects a broader international trend, with countries including Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Brazil pursuing similar measures to restrict young people’s access to social media platforms.
Originally reported by Mashable →
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