What's happened
Norway plans to raise the minimum age for social media use from 13 to 15, aiming to protect children from harmful content. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre acknowledges the challenge of enforcing this regulation against powerful tech companies. Current data shows significant underage usage despite existing restrictions.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Mikhaila Friel from Business Insider UK, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre described the new regulations as a 'moral imperative' to protect children from tech giants. He emphasized the uphill battle against these powerful companies, stating, 'These are big tech giants pitted against small children's brains.' Meanwhile, Anthony Cuthbertson from The Independent highlighted that the proposed rules would also prevent tech companies from collecting personal data from users under 15, reinforcing the government's commitment to child safety online. Critics, like AI expert Thomas Anglero, argue that better parenting, rather than government intervention, is the solution, suggesting that the law could disrupt family dynamics. This sentiment is echoed in Miranda Bryant's piece for The Guardian, where she notes that while the law aims to help parents, it may not effectively address the root issues of social media use among children.
How we got here
Norway currently restricts social media access for children under 13, but enforcement has proven ineffective. Recent statistics reveal that a large percentage of children aged 9 to 11 are using social media platforms, prompting the government to consider stricter regulations.
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