Poll backs under-16s social media ban as Cabinet edges toward decision

Wednesday, 21 January 2026

A clear majority of New Zealanders support banning children under 16 from social media – even if it requires adults to provide ID – as Cabinet moves closer to decisions on how far the Government is willing to go.

The latest The Post/ Freshwater Strategy poll with Infrastructure New Zealand shows 65% of the public back an under-16s ban, with just 17% opposed, delivering a net support margin of +48 points.

Support is consistent across all age groups. Every age group surveyed returned exactly the same level of backing: 65% among 18-34-year-olds, 35-54-year-olds and those aged 55 and over.

Even in the youngest adult group, where resistance is highest, opposition sits at 19%, short of one in five.

The poll also reveals strong backing across political lines, although with some variation: 76% of National supporters favour a ban, followed by 66% of Labour and ACT voters, and 61% of NZ First voters. Almost half – 49% – of Green Party supporters and 40% of Te Pāti Māori supporters back the measure.

Read more

• Parliamentary inquiry backs under-16 social media ban, and discusses going much further

• National looking to ban social media for under-16s on two tracks at once

• TikTok, Meta warn NZ against banning under 16s from social media

At the same time, Education Minister Erica Stanford has confirmed Cabinet has “recently taken decisions” on a first set of online safety proposals, with an announcement expected in the next few weeks.

The developments sharpen pressure on the Government to reveal what, exactly, it plans to do, months after Prime Minister Christopher Luxon pulled social media restrictions for under-16s into the Government’s formal work programme.

In May, Luxon announced Stanford had been tasked with leading cross-government work on restricting social media access for children, citing concern about bullying, harmful content and addiction.

National had previously signalled support for a ban, but was unable to secure ACT’s backing to make it a government bill.

National MP Catherine Wedd’s members’ bill was drawn from the ballot in October, while officials worked on broader regulatory options.

That bill was expected to have a first reading in November, but that hasn’t happened. Labour has said it would support the bill to select committee.

What do you think about a ban on social media for under 16-year-olds?

Stanford says Cabinet has begun locking in its approach.

“The Government is developing comprehensive proposals to respond to a rapidly changing landscape. Cabinet has recently taken decisions on a first set of proposals and an announcement will be made in the next few weeks,” she said in a statement to The Post.

“Online safety is a complex, global issue and there are various aspects to consider around settings and balance. Ultimately, reducing harm among our young people is a key priority, and we can ensure this while maintaining a balanced approach.”

She said the work was not about keeping children off the internet, but making sure they were safer on it, and that New Zealand was looking to overseas models as it shaped its response.

New Zealand is watching overseas developments closely. In Australia, Meta has already deactivated over half a million accounts believed to belong to users under 16 across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. A ban took effect there late last year.

Freshwater Strategy interviewed n=1031 eligible voters in New Zealand, aged 18+ online, between 5-10 December 2025. Margin of Error +/- 3%. Data are weighted to be representative of New Zealand voters.

The Post/Freshwater Strategy poll is funded by Infrastructure NZ to encourage debate about issues that are important to the future of New Zealand.