Norway to Propose Ban on Social-Media for Under-16s

Norway’s minority Labour government will table a bill by the end of 2026 that bars children under 16 from using social-media platforms. The draft places age-verification duties on the platforms and does not list specific services, leaving the exact scope to be defined later.

ABC News Australia

Australia introduced a world-first under-16 ban in December 2025, deactivating over 4.7 million youth accounts. Turkey has already limited access for under-15 users. At least 14 European nations—including Denmark, Italy, Portugal, Spain, France and Greece—are debating comparable age limits, and the European Commission has launched an EU-wide age-verification app for minors.

RTE (Radio Television of Ireland)

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre described the measure as a safeguard for children’s digital lives, arguing that algorithms and screens should not dominate play, friendships or daily activities. Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance Karianne Tung emphasized that “the responsibility rests with the companies providing these services” and that verification must start from day one. The European Commission reiterated its commitment to child protection through the new verification tool. The Norwegian government has not disclosed which platforms the bill will cover.

Norway to Ban Social Media Access for Under-16s

The bill does not specify which platforms will be subject to the ban, and no official usage statistics for Norwegian children have been released, leaving the precise scope and impact uncertain.

Daily Mail

In the United Kingdom, MPs rejected a similar under-16 ban for the third time, and Education Minister Olivia Bailey called for a broader consultation on online harms. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel warned that restricting only selected platforms could push teens toward less-safe alternatives. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez labeled social media a “failed state,” reflecting wider skepticism about platform-centric regulation.

Bloomberg

• “We are introducing this legislation because we want a childhood where children get to be children. Play, friendships, and everyday life must not be taken over by algorithms and screens,” — Jonas Gahr Støre, Prime Minister of Norway

Norway set to ban social media networks for under-16s

• “Children cannot be left with the responsibility for staying away from platforms they are not allowed to use, that responsibility rests with the companies providing these services,” — Karianne Tung, Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance, Norway

Norway to Ban Social Media Access for Under-16s

• “YouTube in a statement on Friday said it had invested for over a decade in children's safety to ensure its platforms deliver age-appropriate experiences that also empower parents.” — YouTube spokesperson

Reuters

• “Education minister Olivia Bailey told the Commons that a comprehensive consultation was needed before any measure to restrict social media were put in place She said: 'There is a clear consensus across this House on the need to protect children online.” — Olivia Bailey, UK Education Minister

Daily Mail

The bill is slated for parliamentary debate by December 2026, after which amendments may be introduced. Ongoing EU discussions on a continent-wide verification framework could shape Norway’s final rules, while industry consultations are planned to address technical and enforcement details.

Bloomberg