New Zealand is taking another step towards stricter protection of minors online, as the government has introduced a bill in Parliament that would restrict access to social media for children under 16.The proposed framework is not limited to an age limit, but attempts to shift a significant part of the responsibility to the technology platforms themselves.
Time and harmful content in focus
The government argues that the increased use of social media creates an environment in which minors are confronted with harmful content, online pressures and design practices that encourage prolonged stay on the platforms.
According to figures cited by the authorities, about one in three children aged 13 to 17 spends at least five hours a day on social media. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon argues that the situation requires intervention, stressing that it is unacceptable for an entire generation to be exposed daily to the risks associated with online life.
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The logic of the bill is that protecting children cannot be the sole responsibility of parents and schools. Platforms should take a more active role in limiting risks.
Mandatory age verification
If the bill is passed, platforms deemed high-risk, such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and Facebook, would have to take “reasonable steps” to block access by users under 16.
A combination of age verification technologies is being considered for this purpose . Methods may include information from existing accounts, age estimation through facial recognition, digital identification services, or official documents.
This point is expected to spark a debate about privacy. As age verification requirements increase, so does the need to ensure that sensitive identification data is not stored or used in ways that create new risks.
It's not just about prohibition
One of the key elements of the proposal is that the government wants to create an ongoing risk assessment framework. Services used by children will have to systematically review the risks they pose and explain how they are mitigating them.
The framework is designed to be adaptable to technological developments. This means that in the future it could also cover new categories of services, such as platforms offering AI companions, which create new forms of digital interaction for underage users.
Fines reaching 10% of revenue
Companies that fail to comply with their obligations could face particularly severe sanctions. The proposed framework foresees fines that can reach up to 10% of a company's total revenue .
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The implementation of the rules will be overseen by an independent regulatory authority operating within the Ministry of Interior. It will have the ability to investigate the practices of the platforms and monitor their compliance.
At the same time, the government clarifies that the legal obligations concern businesses and not minors or their parents. There are no penalties for children, parents or caregivers who violate the age limit.
International pressure is increasing
New Zealand is not acting alone. Similar initiatives have been developed in countries such as Spain and France, where governments are considering or implementing lower age restrictions.
The debate is now shifting from whether children should be protected online to who should take responsibility. Governments are pressuring platforms to change the way they design and operate their services, rather than shifting the entire burden onto parents.
The big bet of the application
The success of the measure, however, will be judged in practice. Age verification can be bypassed, while minors may seek alternative means of access or turn to lesser-known services.
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The New Zealand government acknowledges that the ban does not mean that every child will abandon social media. The goal is to gradually change user behavior and, most importantly, to create an environment where companies have clear and ongoing obligations towards minors.
The bill is now entering the parliamentary process and opens another round of the international debate on the limits of digital freedom, privacy and the responsibility of technology giants towards children.
