New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced on Monday that his party will introduce a bill in Parliament to prohibit social media use for children under 16, a move that could reshape the country’s digital landscape. The proposed legislation includes fines of up to 10% of a platform’s global revenue for companies that do not comply with the ban.

Why This Ban? Luxon Cites Unacceptable Harm to Children

Luxon stated that the harm inflicted on New Zealand’s children through social media is unacceptable. According to the Prime Minister, social media exposes children to harmful content, addictive technology, and pressures they are not equipped to handle, negatively impacting their family life, mental health, sleep, and education.

The bill mandates that social media platforms take reasonable steps to verify users’ ages, using methods such as existing account information, facial technology, and digital identity documents. This verification requirement aims to ensure that under-16s are effectively blocked from accessing these services.

What the Bill Includes: Fines and Age Verification

• Fines up to 10% of global revenue for non-compliant companies.
• Mandatory age verification using existing account info, facial technology, or digital ID documents.
• Ban applies to social media platforms, with specific services named in the Australian precedent.

Political Hurdles: Coalition Partner Opposes

It remains uncertain whether the bill will secure enough support in Parliament to pass. The New Zealand First party, a coalition partner, has declared it will not support the bill. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, who also serves as the country’s foreign minister, expressed concerns on X about the proposed legislation, describing it as a slippery slope for the nation.

Peters called the Australian legislation a ‘colossal failure’ and argued that keeping children off social media should be the responsibility of parents. His opposition creates a significant political challenge for Luxon’s government.

Australia’s Precedent: First Global Ban

In December, Australia became the first country globally to ban social media for children under 16. The Australian ban applies to platforms such as TikTok, Alphabet’s YouTube, and Meta’s Instagram and Facebook. New Zealand’s proposal follows this international trend, though it faces domestic resistance.

Luxon Acknowledges Imperfections

Luxon acknowledged that the bill will not be simple or perfect, and that not every child will be kept off social media, as some will find workarounds, but he emphasized the importance of trying. This pragmatic admission highlights the challenges of enforcing such a ban while underscoring the government’s commitment to child safety.

The upcoming parliamentary vote will determine whether New Zealand joins Australia in implementing one of the world’s strictest social media regulations for minors.