New Zealand's PM Christopher Luxon proposes banning children from using social media
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has proposed a ban on social media for children under 16, citing mental health and safety concerns. The bill faces legislative hurdles as it lacks sufficient support within the current coalition government.
Why it matters
It reflects a growing global trend of governments attempting to regulate tech platforms to protect minors from digital harm.
New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has unveiled a proposed law banning children younger than 16 from using social media platforms, citing what he said Monday (August 24, 2026) was “harm being done to a generation” of young people.
However, the bill hasn't yet attracted enough support to pass into law because two of the three parties in Mr. Luxon's coalition government will vote against it. Passage would require support from Opposition lawmakers, who have yet to decide how they would vote.
“There also wasn't enough time for lawmakers to hold a vote on the proposal before Parliament dissolved on Oct. 1 ahead of November's election,” Mr. Luxon said. Bills are required to pass three rounds of voting, usually over a period of months, before they become law.
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