Labour Party Pledges Social Media Ban for Under-16s
The New Zealand Labour Party pledges to implement a social media ban for children under 16 and create an independent online regulator if returned to power.
The Labour Party has pledged to move a social media ban for children under 16 to a select committee within its first 100 days of government. The proposal includes establishing an independent online regulator with the authority to fine technology companies and introducing a Digital Duty of Care law within the first year.
This proposed law would require platforms to mitigate risks associated with deepfake abuse, harmful content, and addictive designs. It would also grant users the option to switch from algorithm-driven feeds to chronological posts. Labour leader Chris Hipkins argued that parents should not have to face big tech companies alone.
Opposition to the plan came from New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, who dismissed the proposal as a naive solution. Peters argued that without the implementation of digital IDs or a ban on VPNs, the effort would be meaningless. Meanwhile, Labour MP Reuben Davidson criticized the National Party's previous efforts on similar legislation as a PR exercise, stating that action must follow announcements.
