New Zealand is to introduce a bill seeking to ban under-16s from using social media.
Under the latest proposals, platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook, will have to take steps to check users are over 16 and platforms that fail to meet their obligations could face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said social media was exposing children to “harmful content, addictive technology and pressures they are not equipped to deal with”. But several political parties have said they will vote against the bill.
The move follows a similar ban in Australia, while countries including the UK and Greece are 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.
