Norway set to curb social media access for under-16s

Norway plans to restrict access to social media for children under 16, joining a growing number of countries responding to concerns about the potential harm kids face online.

The bill came after “overwhelming” demand from the public, govt said on Friday. It plans to bring the legislation to parliament before the end of the year. The limit will apply up until Jan 1 of the year a child turns 16 with technology companies responsible for age verification, govt said. “We want a childhood where children get to be children,” PM Jonas Gahr Store said. “Play, friendships, and everyday life must not be taken over by algorithms and screens.”





The Nordic nation’s move comes on the heels of bans instituted in Australia and Greece, with multiple other nations considering similar action. Australia’s restrictions came into force in Dec. Greece will end access to social media for children under 15 from the start of next year.

“Children cannot be left with the responsibility for staying away from platforms they are not allowed to use,” Karianne Tung, Norway’s minister of digitalisation, said. “That responsibility rests with the companies providing these services.”

According to an emailed statement, YouTube Inc said it believes in “protecting youth in the digital world, not from it”, and it supports a “comprehensive approach to ensure platforms are incentivised to build safer, age-appropriate experiences that also empowers parents”.