In a move aimed at protecting young users online, Norway has announced plans to introduce a bill in parliament by the end of this year to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms. The proposal reflects a broader trend across Europe to limit children’s access to digital platforms.
The proposed law will require technology companies to verify the age of users before allowing them to create or access accounts. This would place direct responsibility on platforms to ensure compliance.
‘We want a childhood where children get to be children’
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere highlighted the importance of the move, saying, “We are introducing this legislation because we want a childhood where children get to be children.” He added that play, friendships, and daily life should not be dominated by algorithms and screens. He described the bill as a key step in protecting children’s digital lives.
The government has not yet clarified which platforms will fall under the proposed ban. In comparison, Australia has implemented similar restrictions that apply to platforms like Meta apps such as Instagram and Facebook, along with TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and X.
The absence of specific details in Norway’s proposal leaves open questions about how wide the scope of the ban will be.
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