New Zealand’s Government introduced the Online Safety (Minimum Age and Child Safety Risk Assessment) Bill to Parliament on August 24, 2026. The bill aims to prevent children under 16 from holding accounts on certain online platforms, including social media and AI chatbots designed to simulate social or emotional connections, according to medianama.com.
The bill requires platform operators to take reasonable steps to stop under-16s from creating accounts and mandates regular child safety risk assessments for these platforms. It defines age-restricted platforms as internet services accessible in New Zealand that allow multiple users to exchange digital content and feature personalised recommendations or continuously updated content feeds. The bill follows a March 2026 parliamentary inquiry that recommended restricting social media access for under-16s.
This legislative move addresses growing concerns about online harms affecting young New Zealanders. The bill’s inclusion of “social AI companions” reflects increasing attention on AI systems that simulate personal connections, expanding regulatory scope beyond traditional social media. The bill’s framework aligns with global trends to enhance child safety online by imposing stricter age restrictions and risk assessments on digital platforms.
The bill was introduced following a parliamentary inquiry that made 12 recommendations on online harms, including age restrictions. The government has yet to announce the timeline for the bill’s passage or implementation, with the next parliamentary session scheduled to begin in September 2026, as per medianama.com.