Norway Proposes Raising Social Media Age Limit to 15 for Child Safety

January 3, 2025

In a bold move to enhance online safety for children, the Norwegian government is proposing an amendment to the country’s Personal Data Act, which would raise the minimum age limit for social media usage to 15 years. Currently, Norwegian law permits 13-year-olds to consent to the collection and processing of their personal data by social media platforms. This proposed change aims to shield children from harmful online content and the pervasive influence of “big tech giants.” Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has underscored the significance of this measure, stressing its role in safeguarding young minds from the detrimental effects of social media exposure.

The Present Situation and Need for Change

Increasing Online Activity Among Young Children

Despite the existing 13-year age limit for social media use, significant numbers of children below this age actively participate on these platforms. The Norwegian Media Authority has provided alarming statistics, revealing that high percentages of 9, 10, and 11-year-olds are already engaging with social media. This situation highlights the urgent need for more stringent measures to protect younger children from potential online harm. As part of addressing this issue, the new amendment proposes the introduction of an age verification system specifically tailored for social media platforms. This system aims to ensure only those above the new age threshold can access these services, thereby providing an additional layer of protection for minors.

Proposed Age Verification System

Although the finer details of implementing the age verification system are still under discussion, one potential solution that has emerged involves the use of bank verification IDs. This method would leverage existing banking infrastructure to confirm the age of users, helping to block underage access to social media. However, Kjersti Toppe, Norway’s Minister for Children and Families, acknowledges that this approach poses its own set of challenges. For instance, ensuring that the verification system is inclusive and accessible to all minors is a critical concern that needs to be addressed. The Norwegian government is also seeking guidance from the European Union, which has made the protection of minors a priority in its digital agenda.

European Influence and Measures

The EU’s Digital Services Act Initiatives

The European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) is a significant initiative designed to safeguard minors from online dangers such as addiction and cyberbullying. This has been a major concern for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who has taken a strong stance on the issue. In tandem with the DSA, Commissioner-designate Michael McGrath is working on the Digital Fairness Act, which aims to revamp consumer protection rules with a particular emphasis on protecting minors. For both Norway and the EU, age verification remains a critical and complex issue. There is ongoing consideration of the EU Digital Wallet as a potential standard solution for this challenge, which could provide a unified approach to verifying the ages of online users across Europe.

Broader European Efforts

The conversations within Europe regarding the protection of minors online are not confined to Norway and the EU alone. For example, in France, a temporary solution has been put into place to address age verification on pornographic websites. This involves the verification of users’ ages through credit card checks, a measure that was trialed for three months. Such steps underscore the collective European effort to find effective ways to protect children in the digital sphere. The French example points to the broader aspirations and the necessity for coordinated efforts across countries to shield minors from inappropriate online content. It highlights the urgency with which European governments are approaching the issue of online safety for children.

Conclusion

In a significant move to enhance the online safety of children, the Norwegian government is suggesting an amendment to the Personal Data Act, which would increase the minimum age for social media use to 15 years. Presently, Norwegian law allows 13-year-olds to consent to the collection and processing of their personal data by social media platforms. This proposed amendment aims to protect children from harmful online content and the substantial influence of major technology companies. According to Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, this measure is crucial for safeguarding young minds from the harmful effects of social media exposure. The government believes that raising the age limit will help mitigate risks such as cyberbullying, exploitation, and the mental health issues often associated with early social media use. This initiative reflects a growing awareness of the need for strengthened digital protections for minors and highlights a broader commitment to ensuring that children’s online experiences are safe and beneficial.

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