Norway to add ‘harmful’ gaming sites to under-16 social media ban

Norway’s government wants to include certain gaming and chat sites in its planned legislation banning social media for children under the age of 16, it said on Monday.

Oslo, which is due to present its bill by the end of 2026, has revised its social media age-limit plans to include what it called “harmful platforms.”

Social media or sites considered “harmful” are those which “by their design, features or content pose a risk to children’s emotional, cognitive development or health, or to their safety,” the government said in a statement.

TikTok, Snapchat and gaming platform Roblox would fall within the scope of the law, it added.

“Today there are certain platforms that present themselves as games but in fact are full of features such as algorithmic recommendation systems and illegal advertising targeting children,” said Minister for Children and Families Lene Vagslid.

“That is why we want them to be covered as well,” she told public broadcaster NRK television.

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The age limit would apply until January 1 of the year in which the child turns 16.

It would be up to the platforms concerned to put in place age-verification systems.

As Norway’s Labour government holds a minority in parliament, the bill must be backed by other political parties in order to be adopted.

Australia introduced legislation last year prohibiting under-16s from accessing some social networks, while the European Union plans to adopt a tiered approach to restrictions based on age.

AFP

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