New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced plans to introduce legislation that would prohibit children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms. The proposed bill, revealed on Monday, aims to address growing concerns about the negative effects of social media on young users.

Under the proposed law, social media companies would be required to implement robust age verification systems to ensure compliance. Verification methods could include using existing account information, facial recognition technology, and digital identity documents. Failure to adhere to the regulations could result in fines of up to 10% of a platform’s global revenue.

Luxon emphasized the urgency of protecting children from the detrimental impacts associated with social media use. “We simply cannot accept the harm being done to a generation of New Zealand children,” he stated. The government’s intervention reflects wider international debates over the responsibility of technology companies to safeguard vulnerable users, especially minors.

The legislation would mark one of the more stringent approaches globally toward managing youth access to social media, as governments continue to grapple with balancing online safety and digital freedom. Further details on the bill’s timeline and enforcement mechanisms are expected as the proposal moves through the parliamentary process.