New Zealand plans to ban social media for under-16s

Published Aug 24, 05:41 AM UTC

New Zealand has announced plans to ban social media access for children under 16, following Australia's lead as the first country to implement such a law in 2024. The proposed legislation would require social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok to take reasonable steps to verify users' ages and ensure they are over 16. This move is part of a growing global trend to protect minors from potential harms of social media, including cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and mental health issues. The announcement was made on August 24, 2026, and reported by The Business Times in Singapore.