Norway’s government has announced plans to ban children under the age of 16 from using social media, a move aimed at protecting young people from the negative effects of excessive screen time and algorithm-driven platforms, according to a report by Reuters.
The proposal, unveiled on April 24, 2026, would make Norway one of the strictest countries in Europe when it comes to regulating youth access to apps like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter).
Protecting childhood from digital pressures
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said the initiative is about ensuring “a childhood where children get to be children,” free from the dominance of algorithms and constant online engagement. The government stressed that the ban is not about limiting communication but about safeguarding mental health, encouraging offline friendships, and promoting healthier development.Digitalisation Minister Karianne Tung emphasized that responsibility for enforcement should rest with technology companies, not children or parents. “It is not the children who should be responsible for this, but the companies,” she said.The proposed law would prohibit all children under 16 from using social media platforms. Tech companies would be required to implement robust age-verification systems to ensure compliance.
The bill is expected to be presented to parliament before the end of 2026, with details on enforcement mechanisms to follow.
European and global context
Norway’s move reflects a growing global trend:
- Australia became the first country to enforce an under-16 ban in December 2025, reporting 4.7 million accounts deactivated or removed within two months.
- France, Spain, and Denmark are preparing similar legislation.
- Greece has announced plans to ban social media for under-15s starting in 2027.
- The European Commission recently introduced an age-verification app to support member states in enforcing digital age limits.
Norway has already introduced national screen-time guidelines and mobile-free school recommendations, which have reduced children’s phone and social media use.
Australia tightens under-16 social media ban
According to a report by Reuters, this ban is now getting a lot global attention as after Australia’s ban a least eight countries are exploring the similar ideas.
However, some reports suggest that still a lot of minors are active online, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government is ramping up enforcement to prove the credibility of the policy.Australia imposed the social media ban on minors in December last year, after the ban governments of Spain to Mtaylasia have expressed their interest in adoption similar measures. The UK, Canada, and U.S. lawmakers have also sought details from Australian authorities.
While parents overwhelmingly support the ban, Big Tech firms — including Meta, Alphabet, TikTok, and Snap — have resisted, citing compliance challenges.
As per the Reuters reports, experts are of the view that government is under pressure to show results they achieved by imposing the ban. “The whole world’s watching Australia in this experiment, and therefore it looks like weak government to back down,” Jeannie Paterson of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Ethics told Reuters.
