New Zealand Plans Social Media Ban for Teens Under 16

New Zealand Proposes Social Media Ban for Under-16s

New Zealand has announced plans to ban social media access for users under 16, following similar restrictions implemented in Australia. According to Bloomberg, the government’s proposed Online Safety Bill would require high-risk platforms—including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook—to verify that users are at least 16 years old.

However, the bill is unlikely to advance until after New Zealand’s general election in November. If passed, the legislation would place the country among a growing list of regions enforcing age-based social media restrictions to mitigate harmful exposure and excessive usage among teens.

Australia’s Social Media Ban Shows Limited Success

Australia, which introduced its own teen social media ban earlier, has seen mixed results. A six-month update from the eSafety Commissioner revealed:

• Most underage teens continue accessing social apps.
• No measurable improvement in teen well-being or problematic online behavior.
• Reduced social media usage led to increased messaging app and gaming activity.

Despite platforms like Meta removing over 750,000 underage accounts in Australia, enforcement remains challenging. Experts warn that bans may push teens toward less-regulated platforms, potentially increasing risks.

Global Trend Toward Teen Social Media Restrictions

New Zealand’s proposal reflects broader efforts to regulate youth access to social media. However, Australia’s experience highlights flaws in age verification, as many teens bypass restrictions by falsifying birth dates. Policymakers emphasize the need for stronger verification measures before expanding such bans.

As debates continue, the effectiveness of age-based social media bans remains uncertain. like.tg will monitor further developments in New Zealand and other regions adopting similar policies.