Norway to follow Australia, plans to ban social media use by children under 16

Norway is set to join Australia in enacting a ban on social media use for children under the age of 16. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere announced that a bill will be presented to parliament by the end of 2026, with the explicit goal of ensuring children can experience a proper childhood, free from the pervasive influence of algorithms and screens.

"Play, friendships, and everyday life must not be taken over by algorithms and screens," Stoere stated, emphasizing the government's commitment to safeguarding children's digital well-being. This initiative reflects a growing concern among European nations about the impact of social media on young people's development and mental health. The responsibility for verifying users' ages will fall upon the technology companies themselves, a crucial aspect of enforcing the ban effectively.

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We are introducing this legislation because we want a childhood where children get to be children.

Meanwhile, Turkey has also taken steps to regulate children's access to social media, passing legislation that prohibits use for those under 15 and imposes new regulations on digital platforms, including gaming companies. These parallel actions by Norway and Turkey highlight a broader European trend towards stricter digital governance aimed at protecting minors in the online world. The specific applications targeted by Norway's ban have not yet been detailed, but Australia's ban, which Norway is emulating, includes major platforms like Meta's Instagram and Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and X.

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Play, friendships, and everyday life must not be taken over by algorithms and screens. This is an important measure to safeguard children's digital lives.