Regulators the world over are wrestling with how to keep children safe online, as social media is increasingly flooded with violent and disturbing content.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon unveiled draft laws that would force social media companies to verify users were at least 16 years old, or face fines of up to NZ$2 million (US$1.2 million). 

The proposed ban was modelled on strict laws recently passed by Australia, which sits at the forefront of global efforts to regulate social media. 

"It's time that New Zealand acknowledged that, for all the good things that come from social media, it's not always a safe place for our young people to be," Luxon told reporters.

"It's time we put the onus on these platforms to protect vulnerable children from harmful content, cyberbullying and exploitation."

It was not clear when the legislation would be introduced to parliament, but Luxon said he was hopeful of garnering support across the chamber.

The laws were drafted by Luxon's center-right National Party, the biggest member in New Zealand's three-way governing coalition. 

To be passed they would need the support of Luxon's two other coalition partners. 

"Parents are constantly telling us that they are really worried about the impact that social media is having on their children," Luxon said. 

"And they say they are really struggling to manage access to social media."

'Online exposure'

National Party lawmaker Catherine Wedd, who drafted the bill, said it would hold social media companies to account. 

"As a mother of four children I feel very strongly that families and parents should be better supported when it comes to overseeing their children's online exposure," she said.

The proposed laws do not specify which social media companies would be covered in New Zealand. 

Last year, New Zealand banned children from using mobile phones while at school -- a policy designed to turn around the country's plummeting literacy rates.

Read also: Social media companies slam Australia's under-16 ban

Australia passed landmark laws in November restricting under-16s from social media -- one of the world's toughest crackdowns on popular sites such as Facebook, Instagram and X.

But video-sharing website YouTube will likely be exempt from Australia's ban so children can use it for their school work.

Officials are yet to solve basic questions surrounding the laws, such as how the ban will be policed. 

The move sparked a fierce backlash from big tech companies who variously described the laws as "rushed", "vague" and "problematic". 

Australia's ban is set to come into effect by December.