New Zealand joins the global push to keep under-16s off social media

New Zealand will pass a bill requiring social-media platforms to confirm users are over 16, with fines up to 10% of global revenue for non-compliance; the vote is postponed until after the 7 November election, and two coalition partners oppose it. France’s under-15 ban began 1 September, but the age-verification clause was dropped, leaving enforcement to the EU Digital Services Act. Australia’s comparable ban produced only a slight drop in under-age users, while Norway’s proposal places liability on platforms.