In Australia, a ban on social media platforms for children under 16 years of age has been announced, and now a similar discussion has started in New Zealand. Prime Minister Christopher Lockson has proposed banning children from using social media. He said that this proposal was made with the aim of protecting teenagers from violent content, cyber bullying and other harmful effects.
In the draft bill released by Prime Minister Luxon last week, it is mentioned that social media companies must prove that users are at least 16 years old, and if they fail to do so, the companies will be fined up to 2 million New Zealand dollars (about 1.2 million US dollars).
"There are good things in social media, but it has never been a safe place for teenagers," Prime Minister Luxon said, "This is about the safety of our children." Social media companies must fulfill their responsibilities.'
Educators and parents need to learn about issues such as cyber bullying, access to violent and inappropriate content, exploitation and social media addiction. He expressed concern with the Prime Minister. "Parents have repeatedly expressed concern about the impact of social media on their young children," Luxon said, "they are finding it very difficult to control access to the network." According to National Party MP Catherine Wade, who drafted the
bill, there is currently no age verification system for social media platforms in New Zealand. Rep. Wade said the bill would help parents monitor their children's online activity.
The proposed ban is based on Australian law. Last November, Australia passed one of the world's strictest laws banning children under the age of 16 from using social media. Technology companies such as Facebook, Instagram, and X reacted to this law as "hastily made", "vague" and "problematic".
