The National Party has introduced a member’s bill to ban children under 16 from accessing social media platforms in New Zealand.
National MP for Tukituki in Hawke’s Bay, Catherine Wedd, said social media is an “extraordinary resource”, but it comes with risks.
“Right now, we aren’t managing the risks for our young people well.”
This morning, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon posted on X (formerly Twitter) saying, “This move is intended to protect young people from bullying, inappropriate content and social media addiction.”
The proposed Social Media Age-Appropriate Users Bill would ensure that social media companies verify that someone is over the age of 16 before accessing the platform.
“As a mother of four children, I feel very strongly that families and parents should be better supported when it comes to overseeing their children’s online exposure,” Wedd said.
This proposed bill similarly resembles the approach taken in Australia, which passed the Online Safety Amendment or Social Media Minimum Age Bill last December.
This also follows similar actions taken in the US state of Texas, where they have recently passed legislation that bans under-18s from social media use.
Wedd said this move strengthens Nationals’ bid to support young Kiwis.
“This bill builds on National’s successful cell phone ban in schools and reinforces the Government’s commitment to setting our children up for success.”
Photo Credit: Newstalk ZB
