New Zealand proposes ban on social media for children under 16

New Zealand’s government has put forward a proposal to ban social media access for children under the age of 16. The plan was announced in late August 2026 as part of a package of online safety measures.

Supporters argue that the age threshold would reduce exposure to harmful content, cyber-bullying and addictive design features. Critics, including some industry groups and free-speech advocates, say the ban would be difficult to enforce and could push young users toward less regulated platforms.

The proposal requires parliamentary approval. Early indications suggest it will face resistance and possible amendments. Similar age-based restrictions have been debated in Australia, the United Kingdom and several European countries, with mixed results on practical implementation.

If passed, the law would place legal obligations on platforms to verify ages and block under-age accounts. How age verification would work without creating new privacy risks remains an open technical and policy question.