Norway Set to Become Latest Country to Ban Social Media for Under 16s

Norway is set to become the latest European nation to enforce a strict social media ban for children under 16, as part of a growing global pushback against tech platforms. The proposed law would require companies like Meta (Instagram, Facebook), ByteDance (TikTok), and Snap Inc. (Snapchat) to implement mandatory age verification and disable algorithmic content recommendations for minors. Violators could face fines of up to 4% of global revenue, similar to GDPR penalties.

This move follows similar actions in France (ban for under-15s requiring parental consent) and the UK (Online Safety Act mandating age checks). Norway's proposal goes further by explicitly targeting recommendation algorithms, which critics say hook young users. The law would apply to 1.2 million Norwegian children and is expected to pass in 2025 after parliamentary debate. Tech companies argue age verification threatens privacy, but Norway's government cites rising rates of anxiety and depression among teens linked to heavy social media use.