Norway has announced plans to introduce legislation that would prohibit children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. The government intends to present a bill to parliament by the end of the year, which will place the responsibility of age verification on technology companies.
This initiative is part of a broader movement among European countries to limit children's access to social media, following Australia's pioneering ban on under-16s last December.
Government's Rationale: Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere emphasized that the legislation aims to preserve a childhood free from the influences of algorithms and screens. He stated, "We are introducing this legislation because we want a childhood where children get to be children. Play, friendships, and everyday life must not be taken over by algorithms and screens. This is an important measure to safeguard children's digital lives."
Scope of the Ban: While the government has not specified which social media applications will be affected, Australia's ban includes popular platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter).
The proposed legislation in Norway is set to be introduced in parliament by the end of 2026, as part of the minority Labour government's efforts to regulate children's online activities.
International Context: Other European nations are also exploring similar measures to restrict social media use among minors, reflecting growing concerns over the impact of digital platforms on young users.
