Oslo will soon table a draft law that seeks to prohibit anyone younger than 16 from accessing a range of digital services. The proposal goes beyond classic social media and pulls in online games and chat apps that officials say expose children to addictive mechanics, illegal advertising and unwanted contact from strangers. By the end of 2026 the bill must reach parliament, where it will trigger a mandatory age-verification system for the platforms named in the text.
Expanded scope: from social feeds to gaming worlds
The government has coined the term “harmful platforms” to describe services whose design, features or content could jeopardise a youngster’s emotional, cognitive or physical development. Under the draft, any service that fits this definition would fall under the same restrictions as traditional social networks. Among the first names mentioned are TikTokSnapchat and the user-generated gaming hub Roblox. Officials stress that the list is not exhaustive; any app that incorporates algorithmic recommendation engines or targeted advertising aimed at minors could be captured by the law.
How the verification requirement is expected to work
Companies operating the identified services will be tasked with implementing robust age-verification mechanisms before any user can create an account or log in. The systems must also respect the European Union’s data-protection standards, meaning personal data may only be processed for the sole purpose of confirming a user’s birth date. Failure to comply could result in fines or the forced removal of the service from Norwegian app stores. The minister for children and families, Lene Vågslid, emphasized that the intent is to give platforms a financial incentive to strip away addictive loops and limit exposure to harmful content.
Exceptions for educational and low-risk tools
Not every messaging or gaming service will be barred. The draft explicitly preserves access to applications deemed “harmless,” such as school-related messaging tools or casual games without recommendation algorithms. This carve-out is meant to safeguard the right of children to participate in digital learning environments while still shielding them from the more insidious features of larger platforms.
Political dynamics and parliamentary hurdles
Norway’s centre-left Labour government holds a minority of seats, so the proposal will need backing from other parties to become law. Critics argue that the age threshold of 16 may be overly restrictive, while supporters point to growing evidence of mental-health strain linked to endless scrolling and in-app purchases. Public consultations conducted throughout 2025 and early 2026 gathered input from parents, educators and digital-rights groups, many of whom called for clearer definitions of what constitutes a “harmful” element.
European ripple effect and comparable initiatives
The Norwegian move mirrors a broader continental trend. Denmark has already enacted similar limits, and Spain is debating a ban for pupils under 16. In 2023 the European Commission unveiled the EU Kids Act a framework that would obligate all EU member states to impose age-based restrictions on social media, online games and certain digital services. Australia pioneered the concept last year, becoming the first country to outlaw under-16 access to major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Norway’s draft therefore sits at the intersection of national policy experimentation and a shifting EU regulatory landscape.
