Norway to Ban AI Use for Elementary School Students

Norway is set to implement a strict ban on generative artificial intelligence (AI) for elementary school students, beginning with the upcoming academic year in late August 2026. This policy follows the nation's earlier prohibition of smartphones and tablets within classrooms.

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The premature use of AI has the potential to cause children to skip critical developmental stages in the learning process.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere articulated the government's reasoning, stating that the premature exposure of children to AI could impede their critical developmental stages in learning. He stressed the importance of schools prioritizing fundamental skills such as "read, write, and do mathematics." The ban will encompass students from the first to seventh grades, typically aged six to 13. Teenagers aged 14 to 16 will still be allowed to use generative AI, but only under teacher supervision, while those 17 and older are encouraged to use the technology independently.

This move is part of Norway's broader strategy to regulate technology in educational settings. A smartphone ban introduced in 2024 was reportedly successful in reducing bullying, improving academic performance, and decreasing mental health-related visits to psychologists, particularly among female students. The government is also advancing plans to ban social media entirely for children under 16, with proposed legislation expected to be submitted to parliament by the end of the year. This mirrors recent legislative efforts in Australia.

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Schools should focus on teaching students how to 'read, write, and do mathematics.'

Globally, similar restrictions on children's AI use are under discussion. In the United States, a bill requiring AI firms to implement strict age verification and prohibit interactive chatbots for underage users has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee. However, recent revisions have narrowed the bill's scope, leading to criticism that loopholes may allow tech companies to bypass regulations, particularly as the distinction between "AI companions" and everyday "search tools" becomes increasingly blurred.

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This policy was reported to have successfully reduced bullying, improved academic performance, and decreased visits to psychologists for mental health issues, particularly among female students.