New Zealand Moves Towards Under-16 Social Media Ban Amid Criticism

Despite no law being passed, a government department has begun preparing for a potential age restriction on social media.
New Zealand Moves Towards Under-16 Social Media Ban Amid Criticism
David Gray/AFP via Getty Images
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The New Zealand government is facing questions over a proposed ban on social media use by under-16s, after a department began recruiting staff for a potential enforcement regime before legislation has been introduced.

The Free Speech Union (FSU) says a job advertisement from the Department of Internal Affairs, which would administer the ban, suggests preparatory work is already underway.

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Rex Widerstrom
Rex Widerstrom
Author
Rex Widerstrom is a New Zealand-based reporter with over 40 years of experience in media, including radio and print. He is currently a presenter for Hutt Radio.