Over 1,000 Norwegian doctors have signed a petition calling for a national age limit on smartphone use, citing concerns over the impact of digital devices on child development and mental health. The health professionals argue that current digital habits are displacing essential developmental activities, such as physical play and social interaction, and that voluntary guidelines are insufficient to protect children.
Health Professionals Urge Government to Implement Strict Regulations
The medical petition was launched by Charlotte Lunde, a senior consultant and specialist in child and adolescent psychiatry at Rikshospitalet, alongside Mille Raaholt Løland, a public health physician. Combined with the earlier petition from 550 psychologists, more than 1,500 health professionals are now formally urging the government to move beyond general advice and implement strict regulatory measures.
The proponents argue that smartphones act as "gaming machines" in children’s pockets, contributing to a rise in sleep issues, depression, and attention deficit disorders. Lunde told Daily newspaper that while the causes of these trends are complex, the constant presence of screens is a significant contributing factor. Both groups of professionals are calling for a minimum age limit, with Lunde suggesting that a 13-year-old is sufficiently mature to manage with a basic phone for communication purposes.
Government Develops Age Limits for Social Media Platforms
Minister for Children and Families Lene Vågslid (Ap) stated in an email to The class struggle that the government shares the concerns raised by the health professionals. Vågslid indicated that the ministry is currently working on developing an age limit for social media platforms. The government’s stance encourages parents to wait until a child is 13 or has started secondary school before providing them with a smartphone.
Scientific Debate Over Digital Regulation
The push for a legislative age limit has met with academic scrutiny regarding the role of research in policy-making. Senior researcher and statistician Tobias Dahl at Sintef Digital told Address that current research on social media and smartphone use is difficult to translate into specific policy because the platforms are complex, interconnected phenomena that defy simple study.
Dahl cautioned that a lack of definitive, long-term research data should not be interpreted as a reason for inaction. He argued that waiting for perfect data provides a "false sense of security" and that the industry’s business models are specifically designed to maximize user engagement. Consequently, he suggests that regulators might need to rely on common sense and the observed experiences of parents and health professionals to mitigate potential long-term risks.
What Is the Proposed Minimum Age for Smartphone Use?
What is the proposed minimum age for smartphone use?
The health professionals are not advocating for a single specific limit, but they propose a minimum threshold of 13 years old. They argue that younger children do not require the advanced features of a smartphone and can rely on simpler devices for essential communication.
Will the government implement an 18-year age limit?
While some psychologists have called for an 18-year age limit, the government is currently focused on developing regulations for social media platforms rather than a total ban on the devices themselves. The Ministry of Children and Families has signaled an alignment with the "wait until 13" approach.
What is the next step for the petitions?
The organizers plan to deliver both the doctors’ and the psychologists’ petitions to the Norwegian government. The goal is to present a unified message from the healthcare sector that industry self-regulation is failing and that government intervention is required to ensure the safety of children in a digital environment.
Open Questions in the Regulatory Debate
While the government has acknowledged the concerns of the medical community, it remains unclear how a national age limit would be enforced or whether it would apply to the ownership of devices or access to specific software. There is no consensus on how to measure the effectiveness of such a policy, given the complex social costs of excluding children from digital networks where their peers are active.
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