Norway Proposes Ban on Social Media for Children Under 16, Aiming to Protect Childhood
Norway has announced plans to introduce a bill in parliament by the end of 2026 that would ban children under the age of 16 from using social media. This legislative move follows Australia's precedent, which implemented a similar ban last December. The proposed Norwegian law would hold technology companies accountable for verifying the ages of users to ensure compliance. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere emphasized the importance of preserving childhood experiences free from the influence of digital algorithms and screens. The government has not yet specified which social media applications will be targeted by this legislation. Australia's existing ban includes platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and X, formerly known as Twitter.