Officials advised digital ID could verify ages under social media ban

Author: Troy Matich,
Publish Date: Mon, 24 Aug 2026, 2:45pm

The Government has been considering a social media ban for those under 16.

The Government was advised that introducing a digital identification system was one way to verify people’s ages when using social media.

The National and Labour parties have publicly been considering a social media ban for under-16s.

One of the challenges with the policy is creating a system that verifies people’s ages online.

Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) officials confirmed in February digital IDs could be used for age verification online, including on social media platforms.

The Government has said it would not implement a system that mandated the use of digital IDs, however.

Documents obtained by Newstalk ZB under the Official Information Act (OIA) from the Department of Internal Affairs show Education Minister Erica Stanford met with Hospitality New Zealand in late February to discuss their work on digitising the Kiwi Access Card – also known as an 18+ card.

The physical card can currently be used as a proof of identity document, similar to a driver’s licence or passport.

Officials provided advice on “how these products could support any future social media age assurance requirements” in an aide-memoire to the minister.

“The digital card could also be used for online age verification if the Government were to introduce requirements for social media platforms to require age assurance,” Stanford was advised.

Many talking points were redacted under the OIA, though the agency said it plans to work with organisations including Kiwi Access and the wider private sector on digital ID.

The request captured 20 documents Stanford had received mentioning digital ID, but DIA only released one in full and two partially.

Officials said discussions would “promote the convenience, security and privacy improvements while also dispelling common myths” around digital identity documentation.

The idea of social media age verification was also discussed in a briefing with background information on the Govt.nz app – aimed to be a simple way Kiwis can access Government services on their phone.

“DIA has key messages on Digital Identity which can support clear, effective messaging to help mitigate concerns on any misuse of digital ID as part of the minimum age proposals,” officials said.

“Platforms captured by a new minimum age can be required to provide alternative methods alongside ID, and penalties apply for any breaches. This means New Zealanders will not be compelled to use government ID (including Digital ID) for age assurance on social media and other platforms,” the briefing outlined.

The briefing also stated the app could potentially be used to tell people when to update their passport, or to receive emergency notifications and alerts from the National Emergency Management Agency.

Officials also said people would “only share what’s needed” with digital ID: “For example, you can prove you are over 16 without handing over your full birth date. The information is issued and verified using secure technology, which means it can be trusted”.

DIA added that New Zealand is not planning to create a single national ID, including digitally.

Advice comes as National has been pushing for restrictions to prevent children under the age of 16 from having social media accounts, similar to the measure in force in Australia.

Troy Matich is a political reporter with Newstalk ZB, working from Parliament’s press gallery. She joined NZME in 2025, previously working for RNZ as a producer for Morning Report.