Children's screen time policy proposals

4 stories · since September 2026 Ongoing

Photo: Otago Daily Times (opens in new tab) · Labour proposes digital watchdog and social media ban for under 16s

The story so far

Labour also released a social media policy package that includes a ban for under-16s and, if elected, an independent digital watchdog with the power to fine technology companies.19 Oct The package also proposes giving users more control over their personalised internet feeds.19 Oct

Latest

The policy aims to address platform algorithms and addictive design to tackle the root causes of online harm.20 Oct

Key moments

  1. National promises a screen ban in early childhood education.
  2. Labour announces plan to cut children's screen time through affordable after-school activities.
  3. Labour proposes under-16 social media ban and a digital watchdog able to fine tech firms.
  4. Labour releases online safety policy targeting algorithms and addictive design, expanding on National's proposal.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.

Key people and organisations

All stories

October 2026

September 2026

Coverage

  • NZ HeraldNZ Herald4
  • The PostThe Post3
  • 1News1News2
  • StuffStuff2
  • RNZRNZ1
  • Otago Daily TimesOtago Daily Times1
  • NewsroomNewsroom1