Labour is promising to support National's move to ban social media for under 16s, while also following Australia in giving social media users more control over their algorithm and in requiring platforms to protect users from addictive designs.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said Labour would "put basic rules in place for big technology companies, give people more control over their online experience, and strengthen protections against harmful content".
The Australian government recently proposed letting users opt out of algorithms under digital duty of care laws.
Labour's technology spokesperson Reuben Davidson said users should have the choice of seeing only posts from people and accounts they follow in their social media feed.
“We’ll join Australia in introducing a new ‘Digital Duty of Care’ law, putting the responsibility of stopping online harm – like bullying, content promoting eating disorders or self-harm, and deepfakes - more on big tech," Davidson said.
“And to enforce these new laws, we will establish an independent online regulator to make sure platforms meet their responsibilities."
National in August said it wanted to push ahead with its plan to ban social media for under 16-year-olds.
Social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and Facebook would need to take “reasonable steps to check users are over the age of 16 by using a number of methods including; existing account information, facial age estimation, digital ID services and formal ID".
However, this move was questioned after both coalition partners NZ First and ACT said they would not support the National Bill.
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