Norwegian Social Media age restrictions Law on Track to Be Introduced This Year – This Is How the Age Limit for Social Media Will Work
Press release | Date: 24/04/2026 | Ministry of Children and Families, Ministry of Digitalisation and Public Governance, Office of the Prime Minister
The Government will present a new bill proposing an age limit for children using social media to Parliament (Stortinget) this year and has decided that the age limit will apply from January 1st the year a child turns 16. Under the new law, technology companies will be responsible for age verification of young users at login.
– I can now confirm that we are planning to submit a bill to the Parliament before the end of the year. 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. This is an important measure to safeguard children’s digital lives, says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Labour).
The Labour-led government received an overwhelming response last year when the proposal for an age limit on social media was sent out for consultation. The Government has listened to comments arguing that all children within the same age cohort should be treated equally, and therefore proposes that the age limit be tied to January 1st of the year you turn 16. This means entire school cohorts will gain access at the same time, and students will be at least 15 years old when access is granted.
– For me, it is important both to give better protection for children in the digital world and to listen to what young people are saying. I understand that social media can be an important social arena. We want to ensure inclusion and a sense of community. That is why we are proposing that the cutoff be based on the year of birth rather than the exact birth date, so that cohorts are given equal opportunities, regardless of when each person is born, says Minister for Children and Families Lene Vågslid (Labour).
Holding Tech Companies Accountable
– 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, says Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance Karianne Tung (Labour).
Norway is among the first countries in Europe to present legislation introducing an age limitation, and several other countries are now considering similar regulation.
The EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) is expected to make platforms responsible for complying with age limits by requiring age verification. The Norwegian legislative proposal aligns with similar legislative proposals currently being prepared, among others in France.
Implementation in Two Stages
The share of children who own a mobile phone and use social media in Norway has declined. There are strong indications that measures such as national screen-time guidelines and recommendations for mobile-free schools have had an impact. Enforcement will take effect once the DSA is incorporated into Norwegian law, but the government expects service providers to comply from day one.”
– I am convinced that we will get this in place. Norway is not standing alone. Several European countries, such as France, Denmark, Spain and Portugal, are considering similar models, and the EU is showing clear support for stricter regulation. We are at the forefront in Europe, and we intend to remain so, says Vågslid.
The government aims to send the proposed legislation for EEA consultation before the summer. The consultation period normally lasts three months.
