Norway to Ban Social Media for Under-16 Users

Norway is set to present a bill aimed at banning social media usage for individuals under the age of 16. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stated that this legislation is crucial for safeguarding children’s digital lives, emphasizing that childhood should not be dictated by algorithms and screens.

The proposed law will require technology companies to verify the ages of their users. This initiative aligns Norway with several European countries, including France, Spain, and Denmark, which have already introduced similar digital age regulations.

Other nations like Australia and Turkey have also enacted such bans. The European Commission has expressed its determination to take action to protect children and adolescents online, with plans to unveil a verification app for European citizens in mid-April.

Norwegian Minister of Digitalization Kariann Tung highlighted that companies providing services must comply with the new regulations, which aim to limit children's exposure to social media. Current measures in Norway have already led to a decline in the number of children using social media.