Key points
- New Zealand premier has unveiled draft laws
- Social media companies to verify users’ age or face fines of up to US$1.2 million: Draft laws
- New Zealand also banned children from using mobile phones while at school
ISLAMABAD: New Zealand’s prime minister on Tuesday proposed banning children under 16 from social media, stressing the need to shield them from the perils of big tech platforms.
AFP reported regulators the world over are wrestling with how to keep children safe online, as social media is increasingly flooded with violent and disturbing content.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon unveiled draft laws that would force social media companies to verify users were at least 16 years old, or face fines of up to US$1.2 million.
Regulate social media
The proposed ban was modelled on strict laws recently passed by Australia, which sits at the forefront of global efforts to regulate social media.
“It’s time that New Zealand acknowledged that, for all the good things that come from social media, it’s not always a safe place for our young people to be,” Luxon told reporters.
“It’s time we put the onus on these platforms to protect vulnerable children from harmful content, cyberbullying, and exploitation.”
It was not clear when the legislation would be introduced to parliament, but Luxon said he was hopeful of garnering support across the chamber.
The laws were drafted by Luxon’s centre-right National Party, the biggest member in New Zealand’s three-way governing coalition.
To be passed they would need the support of Luxon’s two other coalition partners.
According to The Guardian, opposition Labour leader Chris Hipkins said that he was open to the idea.
Mobile phones
“This is a conversation we need to have as a country. The Australians have been courageous and tackled it. I think New Zealand needs to do the same.”
Last year, New Zealand banned children from using mobile phones while at school — a policy designed to turn around the country’s plummeting literacy rates.
Australia passed landmark laws in November restricting under-16s from social media — one of the world’s toughest crackdowns on popular sites such as Facebook, Instagram and X.
But video-sharing website YouTube will likely be exempt from Australia’s ban so children can use it for their school work.
Australia’s ban is set to come into effect by December.
