New Zealand Proposes Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon introduced legislation on August 24, 2026, to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

The proposed law requires platforms to implement age verification measures, with companies facing fines of up to 10 percent of their global revenue for failing to comply with the mandate.

The government cited data showing one in three children aged 13 to 17 spend at least five hours daily on social media, negatively impacting their mental health and education.