Norway to enforce minimum age limit of 15 for social media use

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre acknowledged the challenge ahead, describing it as “an uphill battle,” but emphasised the need for political action to protect children from the influence of “the power of the algorithms.”

By: Express Web Desk

Updated: October 24, 2024 09:07 PM IST

3 min read

Speaking to the newspaper VG, on Wednesday, the prime minister said, “It sends quite a strong signal. Children must be protected from harmful content on social media. These are powerful tech giants pitted against the brains of small children." (File Photo)

Norway is set to enforce a stricter minimum age limit of 15 for social media use, as the government intensifies its efforts against tech companies, claiming they are “pitted against small children’s brains,” The Guardian reported.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre acknowledged the challenge ahead, describing it as “an uphill battle,” but asserted the need for political action to protect children from the influence of “the power of algorithms.”

He also added that social media platforms were being misused by the industry, leading users to become “single-minded and pacified.”

Norway currently enforces a minimum age limit of 13 for social media. However, research by the Norwegian media authority shows that more than half of nine-year-olds (58% of 10-year-olds and 72% of 11-year-olds) are already active on these platforms.

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In response, the government has committed to introducing stronger safeguards. These include amending the Personal Data Act so that users must be 15 years old to consent to the handling of their personal data and implementing an age verification system for social media platforms.

Speaking to the newspaper VG, on Wednesday, the prime minister said, “It sends quite a strong signal. Children must be protected from harmful content on social media. These are powerful tech giants pitted against the brains of small children. We know this is an uphill battle, with strong forces at play, but this is where politics must step in.”

While recognising that social media can offer lonely children a sense of community, Støre cautioned against the dominance of algorithms over self-expression, adding, “It can cause children to become single-minded and pacified because everything happens so quickly on the screen.”

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Kjersti Toppe, Minister for Children and Families, speaking to parents in Stavanger who are campaigning for stricter online regulations for children, said the measures were also designed to support parents. “It’s about giving parents the confidence to say no. Many parents want to, but don’t feel able to.”

She added that the government is exploring ways to enforce these restrictions without infringing on human rights, including the possibility of requiring a bank account for age verification.

Australia has also announced plans for a social media ban for younger teenagers and children, with the age limit likely to be set between 14 and 16. Meanwhile, France is trialling a ban on mobile phones in schools for students up to the age of 15, with a potential nationwide rollout in January if successful.

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