Shielding Kids Online: New Zealand Proposes Social Media Age Limit
Online Networks Restricted for Users Under 16 in New Zealand - Online platforms will be prohibited for users under the age of 16 in New Zealand.
In a bid to safeguard young minds, New Zealand's center-right National Party, led by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, has proposed a bill targeting under-16s on popular platforms like Instagram and TikTok. The bill, if passed, will fine non-compliant platforms a hefty NZ$1.8 million. Luxon believes it's high time social media companies bear responsibility to guard kids from harmful content, cyberbullying, and exploitation.
The bill's passage through Parliament is not explicitly timed yet, but Luxon exhibits optimism about securing broad support from both chambers. In order to become law, the coalition partners' backing is vital.
Many parents have voiced their concerns over their children's exposure to the impact of social media. According to Luxon, these concerns are legit as parents often struggle to control their kids' social media access.
Authorities worldwide grapple with safeguarding children online. This proposed law dovetails with the stringent online regulations Australia passed in November, which also sets a 16-year age limit for popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. Before the Australian law takes effect in December, authorities must address fundamental questions, such as how to enforce the ban effectively.
Last year, New Zealand placed a mobile phone ban in schools to combat declining literacy rates.
Breaking It Down
- Under the proposed bill, social media platforms are required to verify the age of new users, saving a fine of up to NZ$1.8 million for non-compliance.
- The bill also obliges platforms to implement age-verification systems within a year of the law's enactment. They must balance feasibility, verification reliability, and user privacy [2][3].
- Platforms may face fines, but they can avoid them if they can prove they unknowingly allowed underage users due to false information provided during the age verification process [1][3][5].
- The Minister responsible for the legislation will have the power to designate which platforms are subject to the age-restricted category and enforce compliance [3].
The proposed law mirrors Australia's recent move to protect children and is motivated by the need to shield them from online hazards such as addiction, bullying, and exposure to inappropriate content. Luxon's primary aim is to make social media companies accountable for children's overall well-being [2][4][5].
In essence, the bill aims to create a secure online space for children by implementing a 16-year age limit for social media use, backed by mandatory age verification, and substantial financial penalties for platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and others that do not comply.
- The Commission has decided to enforce a fine of up to NZ$1.8 million on social media platforms that fail to comply with the age verification requirements under the proposed bill.
- Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, head of the center-right National Party in New Zealand, has voiced his concerns about children's exposure to cyberbullying and harmful content, believing it's high time social media companies take responsibility for their well-being.
- In addition to the age-verification systems, the proposed law requires social media platforms to balance feasibility, verification reliability, and user privacy when implementing these systems.
- The coalition partners' backing is crucial for the bill to become law, and Luxon hopes to secure broad support from both chambers in Parliament.
- Schools in New Zealand have already implemented a mobile phone ban last year to combat declining literacy rates, and the proposed law is another step towards shielding children from online hazards.
- The proposed law aligns with Australia's recent move to protect children by setting a 16-year age limit for popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, and it aims to make these companies accountable for children's health-and-wellness, including issues like nutrition, healthy diets, and lifestyle, in addition to cyberbullying and social-media addiction.
