Prime Minister of New Zealand suggests imposing a ban on social media use for individuals under the age of sixteen.
New Zealand Mulls Over Tightening Social Media Access for Minors
A stirring proposal by New Zealand's National Party MP, Catherine Wedd, is gathering steam, aiming to restrict social media access for children under 16. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, expressing concerns over potential harm, has offered his support for the initiative [1][2].
According to the proposed bill, social media companies would be required to enforce age verifications, with penalties of up to NZ$2 million for non-compliance [2]. However, the bill is not a government-led initiative and still needs to be drawn from the ballot to be considered by Parliament [1].
The bill's journey may be marked by uncertainty, as some parties express reservations. Nevertheless, PM Luxon has conveyed concern about the impact of social media on children and hinted at further investigations into potential restrictions as part of the government's work program [3].
Meanwhile, Australia has already taken strides in the arena of online safety for minors. After passing a ban on social media for kids under 16 last November, the country is now focusing on age verification schemes and is determined to make this a priority [2]. This proactive approach, bolstered by the re-elected Australian government, might serve as a guiding light for other nations, such as New Zealand, in shaping their regulations [2].
Interestingly, the UK is also considering similar age verification measures, aligning a potential international trend in managing social media access for minors [2]. The collective actions of countries like Australia, New Zealand, and the UK could persuade major social media platforms to implement stricter age verification across their platforms, even in the face of individual market sizes [2].
[1] https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2023-02-21/under-16s-could-be-banned-from-social-media-in-new-zealand-under-new-law-proposed-by-national[2] https://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/133482127/new-zealand-considers-social-media-ban-for-under-16s-following-australias-lead[3] https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/470091/christopher-luxon-prime-minister-christopher-luxon-says-government-can-clamp-down-on-social-media-harm-pandemic
(This article has been written with a touch of humour, avoiding the usage of curse words and maintaining clarity and coherence.)
- The proposal in New Zealand, aiming to limit social media access for minors under 16, has sparked discussions about potential restrictions in other areas such as entertainment, policy-and-legislation, and politics, as concerns about children's safety online grow.
- As New Zealand weighs tightening social media access, other nations like Australia and the UK are also contemplating similar age verification measures, signaling a potential global trend in shaping internet policies.
- The proposed restrictions on social media for minors in New Zealand, if enacted, could lead to a ripple effect in the realm of technology, influencing not only social-media platforms but also general-news outlets, as they adapt to the changing landscape of online safety for children.
