Norway to Ban Under-16s from Social Media by End of 2026
Norway plans to ban children under 16 from using social media, with the government set to submit a bill to parliament by the end of 2026. Technology companies would be responsible for verifying users' ages.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has said the aim is to protect childhood from excessive digital influence, arguing that children should have space for play, friendships and ordinary life free from the dominance of algorithms and screens.
The move follows a broader European trend toward regulating social media for minors, which gained momentum after Australia became the first country in the world to introduce a similar ban.
It remains unclear which specific platforms would be affected, though comparable measures in other countries have targeted Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.