Norway is implementing restrictions on social media access for children under 16, becoming the latest country to regulate tech platforms over youth safety concerns. The move reflects growing global pressure on social networks regarding their impact on young users.
The restriction addresses mounting evidence of negative health effects from social media use among minors. Research indicates millions of children in the US already experience documented harms, from mental health issues to addiction patterns.
Experts argue existing safeguards are insufficient. Ravi Iyer, Managing Director at USC Marshall School Neely Center, notes that social media's addictive design poses systemic risks comparable to other regulated substances. Some researchers propose treating social media regulation similarly to cigarette controls—requiring age verification, usage limits, and accountability measures.
Norway joins a growing list of nations reconsidering tech policy for minors. The ban signals a shift toward legislative intervention as platforms face criticism for prioritizing engagement over user welfare.
Platforms typically rely on age-of-service terms rather than technical enforcement, making compliance verification challenging. Norway's implementation approach will influence similar efforts globally.
TikTok is developing a feature that enables users to send money directly through the app's messaging system. The move marks the latest expansion of TikTok's financial services offerings.
Peacock is increasing subscription costs across its lineup, with the ad-supported Select plan jumping from $7.99 to $8.99 monthly. The price hike affects all tier levels.
Comcast has integrated motion-sensing capabilities into millions of its newer routers, eliminating the need for separate motion sensors. The feature raises privacy concerns among users.
Bluesky has attributed its latest outage to a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. This marks another major incident for the social network this year.