Today's cybersecurity headlines are brought to you by ThreatPerspective

New Zealand Takes Steps Towards Regulating Social Media for Under-16s

New Zealand has proposed a bill to regulate social media for under-16s, requiring companies to verify user ages and imposing penalties for non-compliance. The move is part of a growing trend worldwide as governments seek to address concerns about online safety and child protection.

The New Zealand government has taken a significant step towards regulating social media, particularly when it comes to minors. A bill proposed by Member of Parliament Catherine Wedd aims to require social media companies to verify the age of new users and impose penalties of up to NZ$2million ($1.2 million) for getting it wrong.

According to the context provided, the bill is a "member's bill," meaning it was proposed by an MP who does not have the full backing of the government. The ruling National Party member, Catherine Wedd, represents Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who has publicly endorsed the bill as a fine idea.

Prime Minister Luxon stated in a video that social media companies should be responsible for protecting children from harmful online content, echoing his observation that parents also have a role to play in monitoring their children's online activities. This stance reflects the conservative nature of the National Party he leads.

The bill proposes several key provisions, including requiring social media companies to verify the age of new users and imposing penalties for non-compliance. The proposed penalties are significant, with fines reaching up to NZ$2million ($1.2 million) for each instance where a company fails to accurately verify a user's age.

According to Wedd, the bill aims to address concerns about bullying, addiction, and inappropriate content on social media platforms. She noted that parents and teachers are often worried about the impact of social media on children, citing cyber-bullying, exposure to harmful content, and social media addiction as key issues.

Wedd also cited New Zealand's experience with banning the use of smartphones in schools as evidence that regulating kids' access to technology can lead to improved outcomes. The National Party has previously implemented this ban, which resulted in increased student engagement and improved learning outcomes.

The proposal has been met with interest from opposition parties, suggesting that it may have a chance of passing through Parliament. However, the fate of the bill remains uncertain due to the National Party's dominance of the coalition government.

Interestingly, other countries are also taking steps towards regulating social media for minors. Australia's recently re-elected government has promised to make its proposed age verification scheme a priority, while the UK is considering similar initiatives. The combined populations of New Zealand, Australia, and the UK may be enough to sway social media companies to adopt stricter age verification measures.

In conclusion, New Zealand's move towards regulating social media for under-16s marks an important step in addressing concerns about online safety and child protection. While the bill faces uncertain prospects due to the National Party's control of the coalition government, other countries' initiatives suggest that global momentum may be building behind similar efforts.