This follows a ban on smartphones and tablets in classrooms.
Norway is imposing strict restrictions on the use of generative AI tools by primary school children, according to a report from reuters. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere suggested at a press conference that AI allows children to skip important steps in their education and that schools should focus on teaching them to “read, write and do mathematics”.
These standards will be implemented at the beginning of the new school year, which begins in late August. The ban affects students ages six to 13, from first through seventh grade. However, this policy also applies to teenagers, albeit to a lesser extent. Children aged 14 to 16 can use generative AI, but only under teacher supervision. Teens aged 17 and older are encouraged to use AI appropriately on their own.
This is not the first step taken by Norway to remove technology from classrooms. The country banned smartphones in schools in 2024, which has proven successful. This led to a reduction in bullying, better grades, and a significant reduction in the number of visits to psychologists for mental health issues. These results were particularly impressive for girls.
Norway is also planning to ban social media for all children under 16, which is similar to the way Australia is handling things. A bill will be introduced in Parliament by the end of the year.
The US is also gradually taking steps to limit the time children spend with AI chatbots. The Senate and House are discussing a bill that would require AI companies to implement an age-verification process and ban them from providing chatbots to minors.
The so-called Guidelines for User Age-Verification and Responsible Dialogue Act, or GUARD Act, has advanced from the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, but has not yet been voted on. Last month the language of the bill was softened a bit. When originally proposed, it was aimed at almost every AI-powered chatbot. Now, this only refers to “AI companions,” which likely means products like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot will be exempt.
Critics of the law have suggested that the bill’s narrow language could exempt companies if their tool’s chatbot function is considered “incidental.” After all, it’s a fine line between an “AI companion” and a “search tool” that someone talks to 24/7.
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