World

Norway plans to ban social media use by under-16s

Apr 24, 2026

Social media apps on an Apple iPhone — Norway will introduce a bill to restrict social media for children by the end of 2026. -AAP Image

Norway will present a bill in parliament by year-end ‌to ban children from using social media until ‌they turn 16, making technology companies responsible for the task of age verification.

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Several European nations are seeking to rein in children's use of social ‌media after ‌Australia ⁠took the lead with a world-first ban on under-16s in December 2025.

"We are introducing this legislation because we want a childhood where children get to be children," Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere ⁠said in ‌a statement on Friday.

"Play, friendships, and everyday life must not be taken over by ‌algorithms and screens.

"This is an important measure to safeguard children's digital lives."

The government did not say which applications would be targeted.

Australia's ban covers Meta apps such as Instagram and ‌Facebook as well as TikTok, Snapchat, Google's YouTube and Elon Musk's X, formerly Twitter.

Norway would introduce its bill in parliament by the end of 2026, the minority Labour government said.