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New Zealand to pursue social media ban for children under 16
August 24, 2026 · The Record · Severity: HIGH
The legislation would mandate that high-risk social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and Facebook take “reasonable steps” to ensure users are over age 16 by using tools like facial age estimation, digital ID services, formal IDs and existing account information for verification.
Key Takeaways
- New Zealand's proposed ban targets under-16 users on high-risk platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat.
- The legislation mandates age verification methods including facial estimation, digital IDs, and formal identification.
- Platforms must enforce reasonable steps to block minors, impacting global social media compliance and privacy practices.