Norway issues new screen time guidelines and urges Meta to protect youth

The Norwegian government has issued new recommendations regarding screen use for children and adolescents, specifically highlighting risks associated with platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat. These guidelines address concerns regarding addictive design, harmful content, and digital risks. Recommended daily limits include avoiding screens entirely for children under 2, 0.5 to 1 hour for ages 2 to 5, 1 to 1.5 hours for ages 6 to 12, and 1.5 to 3 hours for teenagers aged 13 to 18.

In a related move, the government has formally contacted Meta, expressing clear expectations that the company implement stronger protections for Norwegian youth. This follows recent settlements in the United States regarding age controls and usage limits. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Minister Lene Vågslid emphasized that children's safety must come first, noting the government's intention to propose a legal age limit of 16 for social media use by the end of the year.