NZ PM Proposes Social Media Ban for Under-16s

AFP/APP

Sydney: 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.

Regulators the world over are wrestling with how to keep children safe online, as social media is increasingly flooded with violent and disturbing content.

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 NZ$2 million (US$1.2 million).

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.”