New Zealand to consider banning children under 16 from social media
Monday, 24 August 2026
Warm-up
- What age is right for joining social media? Why?
- How do rules for young users differ in your country?
- What risks and benefits do teens get from social media?
Vocabulary
- parliament
- A national assembly of elected politicians that makes laws.
- ban
- An official order that stops people from doing something.
- platform
- An online service where users post, watch or share content.
- verify
- To check that something is true or correct.
- identity
- Who a person is, shown by official details or documents.
- legislation
- A law or set of laws made by a government.
- coalition
- A group of political parties that govern together.
- fine
- Money that must be paid as a punishment for breaking a rule.
Reading
New Zealand prime minister Christopher Luxon says his party will introduce a bill in parliament to ban children under 16 from using social media. The proposal targets platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. Companies would need to verify users’ ages by utilising existing account information, facial technology and digital identity documents. Those that break the rules could face fines of up to 10% of a platform’s global revenue.
Luxon argues that social media exposes children to harmful content and addictive design, which can damage family life, mental health, sleep and education. However, the bill’s future is uncertain.
New Zealand First, a coalition partner, says it will not support it. The party’s leader, Winston Peters, wrote on X that Australia’s similar legislation, introduced in December, was a “colossal failure”, and said keeping children off social media is a job for parents.
Australia became the first country to ban social media for under-16s in December. Luxon admits any system will be imperfect and some teenagers will find ways around it, but says the risk is too serious to ignore.
Comprehension
- What does the bill aim to do in New Zealand?
- How would platforms be required to verify users’ ages?
- What is the maximum penalty for breaking the rules?
- Which coalition partner says it will not support the bill?
- Which country introduced a similar ban in December?
Grammar focus
Future perfect
Will have + past participle: use this to show an action that will be completed before a future time (e.g. by then). (Examples constructed.)
- By next year, platforms **will have verified** users' ages.
- By the vote, parents **will have seen** clearer guidance.
Grammar exercise
Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
- By then platforms (verify) ___ users' ages.
- By the vote, the coalition (decide) ___ whether to back it.
- Before schools reopen, parents (see) ___ clearer guidance.
- By December, some teens (find) ___ ways around checks.
- By the debate, committees (collect) ___ more evidence.
Discussion
- Should governments or parents set the minimum social media age? Why?
- Would age verification protect teens, or create new privacy risks?
- What online habits help teenagers stay healthy and safe?
- How should platforms balance safety rules with user freedom?
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