Norway To Ban AI for Elementary School Pupils

Norway's government announced that, as a general rule, generative AI tools will be barred for pupils aged 6 to 13, the country’s prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, said.

This is a part of a broader effort to protect foundational learning as the country grapples with a broad decline in education test scores.

The prime minister said, "The most important thing in school is that our children learn to read, write, and do mathematics," adding that the new standards take effect when the school year begins in late August.

A Third Tech Restriction in Two Years

The AI policy follows a 2024 smartphone ban in schools, which also restored teachers' disciplinary powers, and an announcement earlier this year of planned legislation to bar children from social media until age 16.

Norway had been an early adopter of classroom computers in the 1990s and tablets after 2010.

Tiered Access by Age

Students in lower secondary school, ages 14 to 16, may "cautiously adopt" AI tools under teacher supervision, according to the new policy.

Those in upper secondary education, ages 17 to 19, are expected to learn appropriate use of AI to prepare for further education and work.

In a related move, the government said it will propose legislation funding increased use of physical books in classrooms, reversing the shift toward tablets.