Apps for social media services including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Threads, Telegram and others. Photo: Victor Okhrimets / 123RF
Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok could all be restricted for young Australians if the government has its way.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said he was open to looking at a similar approach in New Zealand.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is proposing a minimum age to use social media platforms, though the exact age is still up for debate with the government consulting on between 14 and 16-years-old.
Hipkins told Morning Report he was interested to see what happened in Australia and open to adopting something similar in New Zealand.
That's provided there was evidence it would make a difference.
"I can tell you as a parent I use the tools that are available to restrict my young children's access to content online but they're not foolproof, there are ways around them."
Hipkins said it was important to educate young people about how to keep themselves safe online.
"The online environment can be very harmful to kids.
"I'm really interested in seeing what the Aussies are doing, I'm open to backing that, I want to see evidence first."
Keeping children safe online was likely to become an increasing problem, he said.
