A bill to restrict social media for children under 16 will be introduced in the New Zealand parliament, officials said on Thursday, building momentum for parliament’s efforts to prevent young people from being harmed while online.

The proposed legislation will require social media platforms to conduct an age verification process, similar to Australia’s world-first teen social media ban law passed in 2024.

A member’s bill submitted in May by ruling National Party lawmaker Catherine Wedd to restrict children using social media was selected on Thursday to be introduced in the parliament.

The bill has received support from National Party members but its coalition partners have not confirmed whether they will support the bill.

Members’ bills can be introduced by any lawmaker not in the cabi

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