"Children Should Not Be Ruled by Algorithms"...Norway Moves to Ban SNS for Those Under 16

by Heo Midam

Published 24 Apr.2026 20:21(KST)

Growing Movement to Restrict SNS Access for Minors

As countries around the world move to regulate the use of social networking services (SNS) by children and adolescents, Norway has also begun working on related legislation.

"Children Should Grow Up as Children"…Norway Moves to Regulate SNS

"Children Should Not Be Ruled by Algorithms"...Norway Moves to Ban SNS for Those Under 16

According to Bloomberg on April 24 (local time), the Norwegian government announced in a statement that it will push for a bill to restrict SNS access for those under the age of 16, citing overwhelming public support for the measure. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre emphasized, "We want children to have a childhood in which they can grow up as children," adding, "Play, friendship, and daily life should not be dominated by algorithms and screens."

The Norwegian government plans to include in the bill a restriction on SNS use for children until January 1 of the year they turn 16, and to submit it to parliament before the end of this year. The responsibility to verify users' ages will be imposed on technology companies.

"Banning SNS for Children Is a Human Rights Violation," Some Argue

The photo is unrelated to any specific expression in the article. Pixabay

Meanwhile, there is a growing movement in the international community to restrict the age at which children and adolescents may use SNS, due to concerns about the mental and physical harm it can cause. Australia became the first country in the world to block access to SNS accounts for those under 16 at the end of last year, and Brazil, Indonesia, and others have taken similar steps. In Europe, at least 12 countries-including the United Kingdom, Norway, Austria, France, and Denmark-are reportedly working on legislation to set the minimum SNS usage age between 13 and 16.

However, some critics argue that such regulations could violate the basic rights of children. The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, a European human rights body, has pointed out that a cautious approach is needed regarding blanket restrictions on children's access to SNS.

Michael O'Flaherty, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, said in an interview with Politico Europe in March that "there are other ways to break the curse of harmful online content," and argued that prohibiting children from accessing SNS "is neither proportionate nor necessary."