Lin NahSocial media ban for under-16s: MPs back new online regulator, raise VPN concerns
https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360961409/social-media-ban-under-16s-mps-back-new-online-regulator-raise-vpn-concerns
ACT calls committee report recommending social media age restrictions 'predetermined' https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/588751/act-calls-committee-report-recommending-social-media-age-restrictions-predetermined
Social media ban for under-16s? MP who initiated inquiry disappointed with ‘predetermined’ outcome
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/parliament-committee-backs-social-media-ban-for-under-16s-but-mp-who-initiated-inquiry-embarrassed-by-outcome/RHGDUNWJ7ZHAVOPTHR3SLKMHLQ/
All links above are from 5 March 2026
Education and Workforce committee published the final 46 page report is in pdf
Not NZ ban. Open letter signed by over 400 computer scientists asking governments to halt social media ban:
Resist ‘dangerous and socially unacceptable’ age checks for social media, scientists warn https://www.politico.eu/article/age-check-social-media-scientist-warning/ March 2, 2026
From the article:
"Governments should halt plans to roll out age checks on online services until privacy and security concerns are addressed, hundreds of academics said Monday."
link to the open letter
https://csa-scientist-open-letter.org/ageverif-Feb2026
Currently letter indicates 419 signatories from 30 countries