New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced on Monday that his country will implement legislation to prohibit children under 16 from using social media, while social media platforms could be liable to fines of up to 10% of their revenue if they do not comply.
The proposed bill would require social media companies to take reasonable measures to verify users’ ages.
These could include using existing account information, facial recognition technology and digital identity documents.
“It’s simply too much harm being inflicted on a generation of New Zealand children,” Luxon argued that social media “shows young people potentially harmful content, addictive technologies and pressures that can impact on family life, mental health, sleep and education.”
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But the law is in limbo in Parliament. Luxon’s coalition partner New Zealand First has stated he won’t support it.
Party leader Winston Peters decried the plan, suggesting it could lead to a “slippery slope” for the nation and saying parents should be left to make choices about their children using social media.
“Australia’s comparable policy is a “colossal failure,” Peters said. In December, Australia became the first nation in the world to prohibit children under 16 years old from accessing social media sites including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.
Luxon further said “It would not be easy or ideal to implement the proposed restrictions, and that some children might find ways to get around them.”
However, he said that the promise of success outweighs the effort greatly.
Luxon said they will not be able to get every child off social media but trying is important.
Also read: France’s highest court halts under-15 social media ban