The Norwegian government announced on Friday a legislative push to ban social media use for children under 16 years old. This policy shift aims to curb the influence of tech giants on youth and mandates that technology companies implement robust age-verification systems to ensure compliance.
"We are introducing this legislation because we want a childhood where children get to be children," stated Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere. He emphasized that the move is designed to protect young users from harmful algorithms and to prioritize developmental well-being over digital engagement, as per media reports.
He further added, "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 minority Labour government confirmed that the bill is slated for introduction to Parliament by the end of 2026. While the proposal marks a significant regulatory shift, the administration has not yet specified which particular applications or platforms will fall under the ban's jurisdiction.
Underage Social Media Restrictions in Other Countries
The wave of digital regulation is rapidly expanding across Europe and the Middle East, with several nations adopting even stricter measures than Norway. Norway's move follows in the footsteps of Australia, which implemented a world-first social media ban for those under 16 in December 2025. The impact of such legislation is already becoming visible.
In February 2026, Australian authorities reported that over 4.7 million accounts belonging to users under the age of 16 had been deactivated or removed.
The Australian ban casts a wide net, targeting major platforms owned by Meta, including Instagram and Facebook, alongside TikTok, Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter), and Google's YouTube. This sweeping approach has set a precedent that is now gaining momentum across the European continent.
Following Australia's lead, several European nations are moving toward formalizing their own restrictions, such as Ireland. Currently, the country is evaluating a similar ban to align with regional safety goals.
Countries like Denmark, Italy, Portugal, and Spain have begun exploring legislation or opening formal consultations to determine appropriate age limits for their citizens.
On April 22, 2026, the Turkish parliament passed an omnibus law that establishes a social media ban for anyone under 15. Notably, Türkiye's legislation goes a step further than many other countries by including online gaming platforms under its regulatory umbrella. Users will verify their age via a code obtained through the e-Devlet (e-government) portal, ensuring accounts are linked to real, verified identities.
These developments coincide with the Turkish parliament passing legislation that prohibits social media use for individuals under the age of 15. A key distinction in Türkiye's approach is that its new laws extend beyond social platforms to include game software companies, broadening the scope of digital oversight compared to the current Norwegian proposal, as per media reports.
Across Europe, similar momentum is building as Denmark has unveiled plans for a comparable ban, while a French parliamentary enquiry has recommended barring those under 15 from social media entirely.
Meanwhile, the Spanish government is currently drafting legislation that would mandate parental or guardian authorization for any users under 16 attempting to access these platforms.
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.