Norway is taking a bold step to protect its youth from the potential negative impacts of social media. The Norwegian government has announced plans to raise the minimum age for social media use to 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the “power of the algorithm.” Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre expressed his concern over the influence of big tech companies on young minds, describing it as a battle against “small children’s brains.”
While Norway already had a minimum age limit of 13, studies revealed that many children as young as nine were using social media, with a significant portion of 10 and 11-year-olds actively engaging with these platforms. Recognizing the need for stricter measures, the government is implementing a two-pronged approach to prevent children from bypassing age restrictions.
Firstly, the Personal Data Act will be revised to require social media users to be at least 15 years old to consent to the processing of their personal information. This move aims to ensure that younger children cannot agree to the extensive data collection and profiling practices prevalent on social media platforms.
Secondly, a comprehensive age verification system will be introduced for social media platforms. This system will aim to effectively verify the age of users, preventing minors from circumventing age restrictions and accessing content deemed unsuitable for their age group.
Prime Minister Støre emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue, stating, “Children must be protected from harmful content on social media. These are big tech giants pitted against small children’s brains. We know that this is an uphill battle, because there are strong forces here, but it is also where politics is needed.”
Norway’s decision aligns with a global trend of countries taking proactive measures to protect children from the potential harms of social media. Australia recently banned children under 16 from using social media, while the UK introduced a new bill aimed at reducing the addictive nature of social media content for teenagers. These initiatives reflect a growing recognition of the need to safeguard children from the potentially harmful aspects of social media and its algorithms.
Norway’s decisive action signals a strong commitment to prioritizing the well-being of its youth in the digital age. By raising the age limit and implementing robust age verification measures, Norway is leading the charge in ensuring that children are not exposed to content that could be detrimental to their development.