KABUL (Pajhwok): New Zealand’s government is introducing legislation to restrict social media use by children under 16, with companies facing fines of up to 10 percent of global revenue for failing to meet their obligations.
Under the proposed Online Safety Bill, platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook would be required to take “reasonable steps” to verify that users are at least 16 years old, the BBC reported.
The measures could include checking existing account information, facial age estimation and digital identity checks.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said social media was exposing children to “harmful content, addictive technology and pressures they are not equipped to deal with.”
He said social media was also 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,” Luxon said.
Under the bill, social media platforms regularly used by children would also be required to assess the risks they pose and report on how those risks are being identified and reduced.
The government has not yet specified which other “high-risk” platforms could be covered by the proposed restrictions.
No penalties would be imposed on children, parents or caregivers for breaching the proposed ban. However, social media companies could face fines of up to 10 percent of their global revenue.
The move follows Australia’s restrictions on social media use by under-16s, while countries including the UK and Greece are also planning to introduce similar restrictions next year.
However, several political parties in New Zealand have said they will vote against the bill.
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