Summarised by Centrist
A parliamentary inquiry into online harm has delivered an interim report urging the government to consider a dedicated social media regulator, tougher algorithmic oversight, and potential restrictions on online advertising for alcohol and gambling aimed at teens.
The report lands just as Australia becomes the first country to roll out a nationwide social-media ban for under-16s, with fines of up to A$49.5 million for platforms that fail to block ineligible users. Education Minister Erica Stanford said New Zealand will “watch very closely” as Australia’s rollout begins.
The committee’s recommendations include:
• exploring age-based restrictions on social platforms
• regulating deepfake tools
• assessing whether current laws are still fit for purpose
• setting liability expectations for platforms
• considering limits on teen exposure to harmful product advertising
Several parties, including Labour, support stronger regulation. Labour MP Reuben Davidson said New Zealand should create a regulator to monitor platforms, improve safety, and reveal how recommendation algorithms work.
ACT, whose MP Parmjeet Parmar initiated the inquiry, warned against “knee-jerk” action. The party said the committee was signalling major interventions prematurely and risked pushing young users into unregulated corners of the internet. Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour echoed that concern, saying copying Australia’s ban immediately “might actually make things worse”.
Greens co-leader Marama Davidson said Big Tech’s influence had caused “very harmful content” to spread, but cautioned that bans risk “punishing young people” rather than the companies.
Stanford acknowledged New Zealand currently has “nothing” in place: no regulator, no child-protection act, and no clear framework for accountability. She said Australia’s rollout creates an opportunity to learn before legislating.
