New Zealand set to ban social media use for minors

International

ADD New Zealand to the list of countries enforcing stricter social media use for minors.

New Zealand will be introducing a bill in which steps will be taken to check if users are over 16 years old before accessing social platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook.

Under the Online Safety Bill, platforms that fail to meet their obligations could face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue.

In a report by BBC, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said social media was exposing children to "harmful content, addictive technology and pressures they are not equipped to deal with".

Several political parties have said they will vote against the bill, the report said.

The move follows a similar ban in Australia, while countries including the UK and Greece are also set to introduce restrictions next year.

Luxon said social media was affecting children's family life, mental health, sleep and education.

"We have protections to keep children safe in the real world and we need them in the virtual world too," he said.

New Zealand's government has not outlined which other "high risk" platforms could be impacted.

The bill requires social media companies "take reasonable steps" to check users are over the age of 16 by using methods including existing account information, facial age estimation and digital identity checks.

Platforms regularly used by children would also be required to regularly assess the risks they pose and report on how they are being identified and reduced.(MyTVCebu)