Norway Moves to Ban Social Media for Under-16s in Major Child Online Safety Push
The Norwegian government is advancing its plans to limit children’s access to social media, claiming the proposed action is to safeguard children’s digital lives.
The plan would give kids access to social media starting Jan. 1 of the calendar year they reach 16. The government said it will go ahead once it receives positive feedback from the European Commission and the European Free Trade Association Surveillance Authority.
The proposed law would be adopted under the European Union’s Digital Services Act, and social media companies would be required to check the age of their users.
Norway’s government stated it has no objections to a national age limit as long as it does not impose extra requirements on social media companies, either under the EU e-Commerce Directive or the Digital Services Act.
The government plans to submit the bill to Norway’s parliament before the end of 2026.
The proposal is in line with the increasing awareness of children’s exposure to risks in digital environments from a child protection point of view. The proposed approach doesn’t just target children’s online behaviour, it also holds platforms accountable for setting users’ ages.
The social media ban is in line with the government’s broader initiative to enhance the digital environment for children. Other measures include recommendations to limit screen time, mobile phone and smartwatch use in schools and increased regulation of digital marketing targeting children.
Norway is not a member of the EU, but has access to the EU single market via the European Economic Area.
The proposed age limit would be a major step towards a safer digital environment for children in Norway, if it is approved.
