Norway Proposes Increasing Minimum Age for Social Media Use to 15

The Norwegian government is taking a strong stance on protecting young minds from the influence of social media, proposing to raise the minimum age for social media use from 13 to 15. This new policy aims to safeguard children from the powerful algorithms and content control mechanisms used by tech giants. The shift is led by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who acknowledges the challenges but emphasizes the government’s role in prioritizing children’s well-being over tech companies’ interests.

Støre recently explained to the Norwegian newspaper VG, “Children must be protected from harmful content on social media. These are big tech giants pitted against small children’s brains.” He noted that, despite the difficulties ahead, the government is committed to establishing protections through political means. He also pointed out the dual nature of social media: while it offers community support for children experiencing loneliness, it can also foster a “narrow mindset and passivity” by allowing algorithms to dictate self-expression.

Amendments to the Personal Data Act and New Age Verification

To implement this change, the Norwegian government plans to amend the Personal Data Act, which currently permits children as young as 13 to consent to their data being managed by social media platforms. Raising the age limit to 15 will require new age-verification measures, creating an added layer of protection and ensuring platforms respect age requirements.

This proposal comes in response to recent findings from the Norwegian Media Authority, which indicate that more than half of children aged nine are active on social media, with the number growing significantly by age 11. Despite the current age restriction, 87% of children nine and older are permitted to use YouTube.

An “Uphill Battle” Against Social Media’s Influence

The push for these changes reflects growing concerns worldwide about social media’s impact on youth. Støre acknowledges the substantial influence tech companies wield but emphasizes that Norway’s responsibility to its citizens is paramount. The government’s strategy is to mitigate the impact of potentially harmful content, reinforcing the belief that children’s well-being should take precedence in an increasingly digital society.

While this policy still faces challenges in implementation and acceptance, Norway’s commitment marks a significant step toward redefining children’s interaction with social media, setting a precedent for how nations might regulate tech giants in favor of youth protection.

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