Norway Expands Under-16 Social Media Ban

UAE Bans Social Media Use for Children Under 15 UAE Bans Social Media Use for Children Under 15
Social Media. Credit: Reuters.

Norway has expanded its planned social media ban for children under 16 to include certain gaming and chat platforms, including Roblox, TikTok and Snapchat.

The Norwegian government announced the change on Monday. It plans to present the proposed law by the end of 2026.

The government said the restrictions would cover platforms considered harmful to children’s emotional and mental development, health or safety. This includes sites whose design, features or content may put young users at risk.

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“Today there are certain platforms that present themselves as games but in fact are full of features such as algorithmic recommendation systems and illegal advertising targeting children,” Children and Families Minister Lene Vagslid told public broadcaster NRK.

“That is why we want them to be covered as well,” she added.

Norway Expands Under-16 Social Media Ban
Norway Expands Under-16 Social Media Ban. Credit: Global News-Inquirer.net.

The proposed age limit would apply until January 1 of the year a child turns 16. Platforms would be responsible for introducing systems to verify users’ ages.

However, Norway’s Labour government holds a minority in parliament. It will therefore need support from other political parties for the bill to become law.

The move follows similar efforts in other countries to limit children’s access to social media. Australia introduced legislation last year banning children under 16 from accessing certain social networks. Meanwhile, the European Union plans to consider age-based restrictions using a tiered approach.

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  • Deborah Akwa

    Deborah Akwa is a content writer with over four years of experience creating brand stories, editorial content, and audience-focused articles on topics like health, lifestyle, and entertainment.

    When she isn't writing, she is behind the scenes managing editorial operations and helping the content team work better.

    She loves using words to connect brands with their audiences. Outside of work, she enjoys watching movies and engaging in thought-provoking conversations.

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