Norway is set to table a bill before parliament to ban social media networks for under -16’s, shifting the responsibility to technology companies to verify the age of consent moving forward.
Speaking on the news was the country’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, who said that they want children to enjoy being children instead of being glued to screens.
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“We are introducing this legislation because we want a childhood where children get to be children. Play, friendships, and everyday life must not be taken over by algorithms and screens,” he said
“This is an important measure to safeguard children’s digital lives,” he continued
Other countries, such as France, Denmark, and Spain, have also hinted at passing similar legislation to protect children, measures that have already been implemented in Australia and Turkey.
The European Commission has also confirmed that it will introduce an age verification gap to protect children as well as adolescents, and it will be made available to all countries in Europe.
“I expect technology companies to ensure that the age limit is respected. Children cannot be left with the responsibility for staying away from platforms they are not allowed to use.
“That responsibility rests with the companies providing these services. They must implement effective age verification and comply with the law from day one,” said Norwegian  Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance Karianne Tung.
