Norway to Ban Social Media for Children Under 16

The Norwegian government, led by Prime Minister Jona Gahr Støre, has announced plans to introduce legislation that will ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms. This initiative is part of a broader effort to tighten restrictions on minors' digital access and is expected to be presented later this year.

The proposed legislation will require technology companies to verify the ages of users to ensure compliance. Kariann Tung, the Minister of Digitalization, emphasized that the responsibility for enforcing age limits will fall on tech companies, not on children.

The government aims to protect childhood development and reduce excessive exposure to digital content. This policy is designed to ensure that children do not consume algorithm-driven content that may detract from real-life friendships and everyday experiences.

Norway's move aligns with similar proposals from several other countries, including France, Spain, Denmark, Australia, and Turkey, which have also sought to impose restrictions on minors' social media usage.