The global debate over restricting children’s access to social media is intensifying, with Australia already implementing a ban on social media use for those under 16, and Indonesia also moving in a similar direction, reflecting a growing international push to regulate digital exposure among minors.
Joining this list, Norway is preparing to introduce legislation by the end of this year to prohibit social media access for children under 16, as announced by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, marking a significant policy shift in the country’s approach to digital safety for children.
The Norwegian Prime Minister emphasized that children should not have their friendships, play, and everyday lives dominated by algorithms and screens, stressing the need to preserve childhood experiences and describing the proposed law as a crucial step to protect children’s well-being in the digital age.
In Europe, France has already enforced rules requiring parental consent for children under 15 to access social media platforms, while the United Kingdom is actively debating a full ban for users under 16, with a final decision expected later this year amid growing political and public discussion.
Elsewhere, the United States has seen states such as Florida introduce bans on social media use for children under 14, though these measures face legal challenges in courts, while Greece has announced plans to enforce a similar restriction for children under 15 starting in 2027, highlighting a broader global trend toward stricter regulation of social media access for minors.