New Zealand Plans Social Media Ban for Under-16s, France Seeks EU Age Verification

New Zealand's government, led by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, is advancing plans to restrict social media access for children under 16, with Education Minister Erica Stanford tasked to explore legislative options and implementation strategies. This initiative follows a Member’s Bill proposed by National Party MP Catherine Wedd, which seeks to require social media platforms to verify users' ages and impose financial penalties for noncompliance, mirroring Australia's upcoming ban. While the Government supports progressing these restrictions, the Act party opposes the current bill, advocating for a more thorough inquiry and learning from Australia's experience. Luxon highlighted widespread parental support and concerns over social media's harms, including bullying and addiction, and noted that jurisdictions like the UK, EU, Canada, and parts of the US are also exploring similar measures. Meanwhile, France is pushing for a European agreement mandating age verification on social networks, with Minister Clara Chappaz leading efforts to mobilize EU partners and suggesting national sanctions if such an agreement fails. These international developments underscore a growing global focus on protecting minors from online harms through regulatory measures.