New Zealand Prime Minister **Christopher Luxon** revealed on Monday his party's intention to legislate a ban on social media access for children under the age of 16. The proposed law seeks to impose substantial fines on platforms found in violation, potentially reaching up to 10% of a platform's global revenue. The legislation would mandate that **high-risk social media platforms**—including **Instagram**, **TikTok**, **Snapchat**, and **Facebook**—implement "reasonable steps" to verify users are over 16. Verification methods could include facial age estimation, digital ID services, formal identification, and leveraging existing account information. Beyond age verification, the bill also requires platforms popular with younger audiences to consistently monitor and report on the risks they pose, detailing their mitigation strategies. Emerging technologies, such as **AI companions**, will also fall under this regulatory framework. To oversee compliance, the bill proposes the creation of an **online safety regulator** within the country’s **Department of Internal Affairs**. "We simply cannot accept the harm being done to a generation of New Zealand children," Luxon stated. "Social media is exposing them to harmful content, addictive technology, and pressures they are not equipped to deal with, and it's affecting their family life, mental health, sleep, and education." While the proposed bill faces opposition from other New Zealand politicians, it reflects a growing global trend. Several European countries, along with **Turkey**, **Brazil**, **Indonesia**, and **Canada**, are either pursuing or have already enacted similar legislation. **Australia** was among the first to implement such a ban, though independent studies have indicated challenges in enforcement, with many young teens still accessing platforms.