Labour Pledges Social Media Ban For Under-16s

*Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said Labour promised to implement the ban in its first 100 days

Labour is pledging to get an under-16 social media ban to select committee in its first 100 days and set up an online watchdog that can fine technology giants that break new rules.

If back in government Labour says it will give people more control of their internet feed by platforms to allow users to choose between an algorithm-driven feed or posts only from accounts people follow.

The new rules would mean users could switch between those feeds at any time.

There would also be a new 'Digital Duty of Care' law that would require platforms to "identify risks and protect Kiwis from harmful content and addictive designs".

Any breaches of these new rules would be assessed by a new independent online regulator, which would have powers to "enforce safety standards, investigate harmful practices and take action against companies that break the rules'.

The new duty of care law would cover stronger protections for under-18s against harmful content, bullying and design features that encourage excessive use or damage self-esteem, the party says.

It would also have "stronger protections against deepfake abuse, including non-consensual sexual images, and powers to take down harmful nudify apps and sites".

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Lastly the new law would cover reponsibilities for companies and make platforms identify risks, detail what they're doing to keep people safe and fix the problems when things go wrong.

The government introduced a bill to ban social media for under-16s in August but it did not have support from National's coalition partners New Zealand First or Act.

It was introduced so close to Parliament rising for the election that National's Christopher Luxon and Erica Stanford said it would not get its first reading this term.

Labour said it would support the bill at first reading to allow it to go to select committee but the Leader of the House Louise Upston made clear it would not go before the House as there wasn't enough time.

Addressing reporters at Parliament, Labour sought to differentiate its proposed social media ban from the National Party's policy.

Labour MP Reuben Davidson said National's efforts were little more than "a PR exercise" given it refused to progress legislation before the end of this term.

"We're committed to having that first reading of the bill within the first 100 days. To getting that into the select committee process. To getting things started.

"It can't just be announcements. It has to be action."

Davidson said Labour's policy also featured a "Digital Duty of Care" law to be introduced in its first year in power, putting basic responsibilities on the companies running online services.

"National have talked a big game about online safety, but it's not a game. It's real lives."

Labour leader Chris Hipkins said politicians had traditionally been slow to respond to technological advances and needed to "urgently" get on top of the new digital environment.

He pointed to statistics showing one in three teenagers spending five or more hours a day on social media: "that's an explosion".

Hipkins said big technology companies had too much power when it comes to New Zealanders' online experience.

"Social media is part of everyday life. It helps us stay connected, share ideas and keep in touch with the people we care about."

"At the same time, scams are becoming more sophisticated, fake images and videos are harder to spot, and a lot of parents are worried about what their children are seeing," he said.

"Parents shouldn't have to take on big tech on their own."

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters dismissed Labour's social media ban as "a naive solution to a genuine issue".

"Throwing out simplistic sound bites denies the reality that banning social media in its entirety means either banning VPNs or using digital ID for everyone - otherwise it's a fool's errand and meaningless."

Peters said New Zealanders should ask themselves how far they want the government to overreach into the rights and responsibilities of parents.

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