New Zealand parliament to debate teen social media ban

Renju Jose

SYDNEY (Reuters) – A bill to restrict social media for children under 16 will be introduced in New Zealand's parliament, officials said on Thursday, giving a boost to parliament's efforts to prevent harm to young people online.

The proposed law would require social media platforms to implement age verification procedures, similar to the world's first anti-social media law for teens, passed in 2024.

A bill introduced in May by ruling National Party MP Catherine Wedd to restrict children's use of social media was chosen to be introduced into Parliament on Thursday.

The bill has received support from members of the National Party, but its coalition partners have not confirmed whether they will support the bill.

Members' bills can be introduced by any legislator outside the cabinet and are selected after a ceremonial lottery.

It is not yet clear when the bill will be introduced into parliament.

A New Zealand parliamentary committee is examining the impact of social media on young people and the role government, business and society should play in addressing this harm. The report is due in early 2026, the committee said last week.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is raising concerns about mental health harm from excessive social media use among young teenagers, including misinformation, bullying and harmful body image.

Civil liberties organization PILLAR said the bill would not protect children online and would instead create serious privacy risks and restrict online freedom for New Zealanders.

“Joining international efforts may seem responsible, but it is lazy policy,” PILLAR executive director Nathan Seyuli said in a statement.

(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)