A legislative push to prohibit social media use by individuals under the age of 16 in New Zealand has been stalled after facing opposition from one of the ruling coalition’s key partners, the ACT Party.
The bill, championed by Catherine Wedd of the National Party and backed by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, seeks to enforce age verification on social media platforms and prevent minors from accessing them, according to Radio New Zealand.
Despite support from the National Party and New Zealand First, ACT’s resistance means the proposal cannot advance without the backing of parties outside the current coalition.
David Seymour, ACT’s leader, dismissed the bill during parliamentary debate, describing it as “oversimplified and misguided.”
He argued that restricting social media through legislation alone would not address the broader challenges.
“You can’t just apply a blanket ban and expect it to work,” Seymour said. “Parents need to be part of the solution, and this law doesn’t account for that.”
Although he acknowledged concerns about the negative effects of social media on youth, Seymour warned against copying similar moves made in Australia.
“Instead of mimicking Australia’s errors, we should be learning from them,” he added.
In defense of the bill, Wedd maintained that stronger action is needed to protect children online. Winston Peters, leader of New Zealand First, called the proposal timely and said it warranted serious consideration as a government-led initiative.
This legislative debate comes on the heels of Australia’s decision last year to implement a similar social media restriction for under-16s — a global first. Although most platforms restrict users under 13, enforcement remains weak, allowing many younger users to gain access.
Social media firms have come under fire for features that critics claim heighten dependency, especially among young users — allegations they deny.
Numerous studies have linked prolonged social media use in teenagers to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and low self-worth.