What an online regulatory framework should look like

Earlier this year, a Private Members Bill was introduced seeking legislation to require age verification measures to be put in place by nominated social media platforms to ensure those under the age of 16 would be unable to obtain access.

The bill was characterised by mainstream media as a ban on access to social media by young people. That was not proposed. Not all social media platforms were envisaged. The age verification would apply only to nominated platforms.

The proposal was endorsed by the Prime Minister. The bill had problems. The matter was taken over by Education Minister Erica Stanford who established an inquiry through the Education and Workforce Select Committee into harm young New Zealanders might encounter online – certainly a widening of the scope of the original bill.

Submissions were sought from the public. More than 400 submissions have been made, one of them on behalf of The Law Association’s Technology & Law Committee.