Shielding the Young: New Zealand Mulls Social Media Age Limit for Minors
Online restriction proposal in New Zealand aims to bar minors under 16 from utilizing digital networks - Online restriction for social media platforms imposed for users under the age of 16 in New Zealand
In a bid to protect the young and vulnerable, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is advocating for a bill that would require popular platforms like Instagram and TikTok to confirm users are at least 16 years old. The initiative includes hefty penalties of up to NZ$1.8 million for non-compliance. Luxon has asserted, "It's high time to put these platforms under scrutiny, safeguarding our children from potential harm, cyberbullying, and exploitation."
Initially, the bill's parliamentary introduction date was uncertain. However, Luxon expressed optimism about gaining support from both chambers, thus paving the way for its passage. The bill originated from the National Party, a part of the current coalition government. To solidify the law, backing from the coalition partners is essential.
Public concern regarding social media's impact on children is increasing, with parents voicing their worries and explaining how they struggle to manage their offspring's online access. In response to these concerns, Luxon elaborated on the bill's objectives.
The bill's scope hasn't been explicitly detailed, though it's expected to involve numerous companies. Worldwide, governing bodies are grappling with safeguarding minors from offensive, distressing, and manipulative online content. The proposed New Zealand measure aligns with Australia's stringent law passed last November.
The Australian regulations impose a 16-year age limit for social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. Educational platforms like YouTube are exempt from the ban, provided children under 16 utilize them for academic purposes. Despite the law's scheduled implementation in December, regulators are yet to tackle significant questions, like how the ban will be executed.
New Zealand's education sector has already initiated measures addressing children's phone usage in schools. Accordingly, mobile phones were banned from classrooms to improve the country's declining literacy rates.
- Christopher Luxon
- Children
- Prime Minister
- Tiktok
- Australia
- New Zealand
The Commission, following Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's initiative, has decided to enforce a law prohibiting young people under the age of 16 from using online networks like Instagram and TikTok, with penalties of up to NZ$1.8 million for non-compliance. Luxon's bill, which has its roots in the National Party, aims to safeguard children from potential harm, cyberbullying, and exploitation.
Parliamentary introduction of the bill was initially uncertain, but Luxon seeks support from both chambers, believing the bill will eventually be passed. The bill's objectives are to address parental concerns about social media's impact on children.
The Australian regulations, passed last November, also set a 16-year age limit for social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. Exempted from the ban are educational platforms like YouTube, if used for academic purposes. However, questions remain unanswered about how the ban will be executed.
New Zealand's education sector has already started to address children's phone usage, banning mobile phones from classrooms to improve the country's declining literacy rates. The proposed New Zealand measure aligns with Australia's stringent law.
