**New Zealand to Introduce Bill for Under-16s Social Media Ban**
New Zealand is set to introduce a legislative proposal aimed at prohibiting individuals under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms. This initiative, part of the forthcoming Online Safety Bill, will require social media companies such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook to implement measures to verify the age of their users. Companies that fail to comply with these regulations could face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has expressed concerns regarding the impact of social media on children, citing exposure to harmful content, addictive technology, and social pressures that young users may not be equipped to handle. He emphasized the importance of extending protections for children in the digital realm, similar to those already established in the physical world. "We have protections to keep children safe in the real world and we need them in the virtual world too," Luxon stated.
The proposed legislation follows a similar move in Australia, where a ban on social media use for individuals under 16 was implemented in December. Other countries, including the United Kingdom and Greece, are also considering similar restrictions for the upcoming year.
Under the new bill, social media platforms will be required to take "reasonable steps" to verify users' ages. This could involve the use of existing account information, facial age estimation technology, and digital identity checks. Additionally, platforms that are frequently used by children will be mandated to conduct regular risk assessments and report on their findings regarding the safety of their services.
While the bill aims to protect minors, it does not propose penalties for children, parents, or caregivers who may breach the ban. Instead, the focus is on imposing significant fines on social media companies that do not adhere to the new regulations. The proposed fines in New Zealand could be substantially higher than those in Australia, where the maximum penalty is approximately $99 million.
Despite the government's intentions, the bill faces opposition from several political parties, including the Act Party and New Zealand First (NZF), both of which are coalition partners in the government. David Seymour, leader of the Act Party and deputy prime minister, has voiced skepticism regarding the effectiveness of the ban, while Winston Peters, leader of the NZF, has criticized the legislation as a potential "slippery slope." Peters also referred to Australia’s ban as a "colossal failure," highlighting the challenges of enforcement and the reality that many under-16 users continue to access restricted platforms.
The debate surrounding the proposed ban is reflective of broader discussions on social media regulation and the balance between protecting children and preserving freedom of expression. Earlier this month, France's highest court blocked a similar ban for individuals under 15, citing concerns over infringing on freedom of speech.
As New Zealand prepares to introduce the Online Safety Bill, the outcome remains uncertain, with the potential for significant implications for social media companies and young users alike. The government plans to present the bill to parliament on Monday, but its passage will depend on garnering sufficient support amid the current political landscape.