New Zealand parliamentary committee proposes age assurance for social media

A New Zealand parliamentary committee has recommended introducing age assurance requirements for social media platforms to prevent users under 16 from accessing services that may expose them to online harms. The proposal is part of a broader report examining how government, businesses, and society should respond to risks faced by young people online.

The Education and Workforce Committee’s final report, following an inquiry into online harms affecting young New Zealanders, concludes that the risks associated with digital platforms are significant and require coordinated responses from policymakers and technology companies.

Among its recommendations, the committee suggests that social media access should be restricted to users aged 16 and over, supported by age assurance technologies. The report also calls for a ban on “nudification” apps and non-consensual deepfake pornography, and proposes exploring additional regulatory measures for AI-generated deepfake content.

The committee also recommends greater oversight of algorithmic recommendation systems, including requirements for algorithmic transparency, and restrictions on certain forms of online advertising targeting young users, such as alcohol, tobacco, and gambling promotions.

In addition, the report proposes establishing a new independent regulator responsible for online safety, along with stronger legal frameworks to address online harms.

However, the recommendations have not received unanimous political support. Some parties, including ACT New Zealand and the Green Party, expressed concerns about age restrictions for social media and questioned whether age verification systems could create privacy risks.

The New Zealand government is expected to respond to the report and its 12 recommendations by 3 June 2026.