Norway plans to introduce legislation banning children under the age of 16 from using social media, with a bill expected to be presented in parliament by the end of the year. The proposal would place responsibility on technology companies to enforce strict age verification measures, marking a significant step in regulating youth access to digital platforms.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said the move aims to protect childhood from excessive screen exposure and algorithm-driven content. The government emphasized the importance of preserving traditional aspects of growing up, such as play, friendships, and real-world interactions, rather than allowing them to be dominated by digital environments.
The initiative follows similar actions by other countries, including Australia, which recently introduced a comparable ban. Major tech firms like Meta Platforms, Alphabet Inc., and Snap Inc. could be affected, though Norway has not specified which platforms will be targeted. The proposal reflects growing global concern over children’s online safety and the impact of social media on young users.
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