Jakarta, INTI - Norway's government will ban the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology for elementary school students starting from the new academic year beginning at the end of August.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced the policy last Friday. The ban will apply to students from first to seventh grade, covering children aged 6 to 13 years old.
Støre stated that the use of AI could cause children to skip essential stages in their learning development.
“The most important things at school are that our children learn to read, write, and calculate,” Støre said, as quoted by The Next Web on Monday, June 22, 2026.
AI Restrictions Introduced for Younger Students
Restrictions on AI use will also apply to higher education levels, although under more flexible regulations. Students aged 14 to 16 will only be allowed to use generative AI under the direct supervision of teachers.
Meanwhile, students aged 17 and above are encouraged to use AI technology independently and responsibly.
Smartphone Ban Becomes Reference for AI Policy
The policy is not Norway’s first effort to limit technology use in schools. In 2024, the government previously introduced a ban on smartphone use in educational institutions.
The smartphone restriction showed notable results. Research conducted by Sara Abrahamsson involving more than 400 lower secondary schools in Norway found that the policy helped reduce bullying, improve academic performance, and decrease visits to specialist psychological services by approximately 60%.
The positive impacts were particularly significant among female students.
The Norwegian government believes that restricting generative AI follows the same principle as the smartphone ban: protecting young students from technologies that could interfere with fundamental learning processes.
However, the government has not yet found strong evidence showing that generative AI use in Norwegian schools has reached a level that causes measurable negative effects comparable to those associated with smartphone use.
Conclusion
Norway’s decision to restrict generative AI use among elementary students reflects a cautious approach toward integrating emerging technologies in education. By prioritizing fundamental learning skills and responsible AI adoption, the government aims to ensure that digital tools support rather than disrupt children’s educational development.
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