Technology Desk:
Norway’s government said it will propose a ban on the use of social media for children under the age of 16 and will make technology companies responsible for age verification of young users.
“We are introducing this legislation because we want a childhood where children get to be children,” Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said in a statement.
“Play, friendships, and everyday life must not be taken over by algorithms and screens.
“This is an important measure to safeguard children’s digital lives,” Mr Stoere said.
It comes after Australia’s world-first social media ban for under-16s came into force in December.
In February, Australia said more than 4.7 million under-16 accounts had been either deactivated or removed since the restrictions began.
Other countries, including Ireland, are considering following Australia’s lead.
Denmark, Italy, Portugal and Spain are all exploring legislation or formal consultations on age limits.
Earlier this week, MPs in the UK voted to reject a social media ban for under-16s for the third time.
Education minister Olivia Bailey told the Commons that a consultation was the way forward before any plan to tackle social media-linked harms should be implemented.
As part of the Bill, ministers are set to gain a flexible power to curb children’s social media use with curfews, scrolling limits and restrictions on location sharing.
The Government could also choose to block under-16s from specified platforms.
It is the third time MPs have voted to reject the proposal.
