New Zealand is set to introduce a bill that would ban under-16s from using social media, a move that follows similar restrictions in Australia. The bill, which is being introduced to parliament on Monday, would require social media companies to take steps to check users are over 16, with fines of up to 10% of their global revenue for those that fail to comply.
Social Media a "Harmful Influence" on Children
According to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, social media is exposing children to "harmful content, addictive technology and pressures they are not equipped to deal with." Luxon said social media is affecting children's family life, mental health, sleep, and education. "We have protections to keep children safe in the real world and we need them in the virtual world too," he said.
The bill, known as the Online Safety Bill, would require social media companies to regularly assess the risks they pose to children and report on how they are being identified and reduced. However, it is unclear if the bill will get enough votes to pass, with both the Act and New Zealand First parties – which are coalition partners in the government – saying they would oppose it.
Fines for Social Media Companies Could Be Higher Than in Australia
No penalties are proposed for children, parents, or caregivers for breaches of the ban, but fines for social media companies could be substantially higher than in Australia, where the maximum penalty is $99m (£51.7m). The move follows a similar ban in Australia, while countries including the UK and Greece are set to introduce restrictions next year.
David Seymour, New Zealand's deputy prime minister and leader of the Act party, said the ban would not work. Foreign affairs minister Winston Peters, who leads the New Zealand First party, said: "We have been concerned with the proposed legislation and the direction and slippery slope that legislation like this will inevitably take our country." Peters also described a ban introduced in Australia in December as a "colossal failure", citing difficulties in enforcement and widespread access to banned apps by children under the age of 16.
Global Reactions to Social Media Bans
The ban has been difficult for Australia to enforce, and it has been widely acknowledged that many children under the age of 16 have still been able to access and use banned apps. Earlier this month, France's top court struck down a similar proposed social media ban, saying it infringed upon freedom of expression. The move by New Zealand's government is part of a growing trend of countries seeking to regulate social media use by children.
The success of the bill is uncertain, but it has sparked a national conversation about the impact of social media on children's lives. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the outcome will have far-reaching consequences for children, parents, and social media companies alike.
Source: Joy Online
