Norway is extending its proposed ban on social media use by children under 16 to cover “harmful” online games and messaging services, shifting from earlier expectations of broader exemptions. The government says platforms will be assessed based on risks to children, rather than treated uniformly.
Outlets report that Norway’s draft legislation would require affected services to implement age-verification measures. The government says the rules are intended to address a range of harms, including exposure to harmful content, addictive design features, illegal marketing, and unwanted contact from strangers. Several sources name platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, and Roblox as examples of services that could fall under the “harmful” category.
Norway previously announced plans to present a bill to parliament by the end of the year, after outlining that technology companies would carry responsibility for age checks. The proposal follows a broader European and international trend to tighten limits on children’s online access after Australia introduced an under-16 social media ban late last year.
