The Government has confirmed legislation aiming to ban under-16s from social media is now on hold.
Parliament debated the matter this week after a select committee inquiry into the harms the online platforms cause.
Labour agreed to support National’s proposal fora ban – while the Greens and Act were opposed to the idea, saying it would be too easy to get around the rules, that at-risk groups could become more isolated as a result, and that social media harms more than just young people.
National’s Catherine Wedd’s bill – which would impose the under-16s ban in line with Australia’s – was drawn from the biscuit-tin ballot in October, having been lodged last May.
When RNZ sought an update on how the committee’s findings would affect the legislation, Education Minister Erica Stanford – who had been tasked with reviewing legislation to reduce those harms – said it was on hold.
“The Government is undertaking a wider programme of work in this area and Wedd’s bill is on hold for the moment. We are continuing to work through the process and will have more to say soon,” Stanford said.
“Papers are still working their way through Cabinet and we are aiming to introduce legislation this year.”
National's Catherine Wedd is behind the bill. Photo / RNZ, Angus Dreaver
National had pushed ahead with the member’s bill rather than bringing the ban to Parliament as a government bill due to Act’s refusal to support it.
On Thursday, Wedd’s bill remained at third among the member’s bills on Parliament’s order paper.
Stanford did not respond to requests for further clarification.
Wedd did not respond to requests for comment.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in November reiterated he was “deeply supportive” of a ban for under-16s, suggesting one would be introduced before the election.
“Certainly before the term, yes we’ll have our first go at making sure we can put the ban for under-16s in place. And then I suspect it will be one of those issues that require ongoing work as well.”
Australia’s ban, which came into force this month, requires specified social media platforms to take “reasonable steps” to ensure under-16s do not access them, with fines of up to A$49.5 million ($60.5m) for serious or repeated breaches.
