Norway Restricts AI Use in Schools, Bans Generative AI for Children Aged 6–13

Norway is moving to sharply limit the use of artificial intelligence in classrooms, introducing one of Europe’s strictest education policies aimed at protecting young learners from overdependence on AI tools.

The government announced that children in primary school, typically aged between 6 and 13, will generally be barred from using generative AI in schools. The policy is part of a wider effort to strengthen foundational learning skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics, which officials say must remain the core focus of early education.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said the decision comes amid concerns about declining academic performance in national test results and the growing influence of digital tools in classrooms. He warned that excessive reliance on artificial intelligence could cause children to skip essential learning steps, weakening their long-term academic development.

Under the new framework, students in lower secondary school, aged 14 to 16, will be allowed to use AI tools only under strict supervision from teachers. In upper secondary education, where students are typically between 17 and 19 years old, AI will be introduced more openly, with the goal of preparing students for higher education and future workplaces where digital tools are increasingly common.

The restrictions are set to take effect from the new school year in late August and represent a significant shift in how Norway approaches digital learning. The country was among early adopters of classroom technology, introducing computers in the 1990s and later integrating tablets such as iPads into teaching environments from the 2010s onward.

However, concerns over declining literacy and numeracy skills have prompted policymakers to reassess that strategy. Alongside the AI restrictions, the government is also proposing a renewed emphasis on physical textbooks in schools, marking a partial reversal of its long-standing shift toward digital learning tools.

The education reforms are part of a broader policy direction in Norway aimed at rebalancing technology use among young people. Earlier this year, the government also signaled plans to restrict social media access for children under 16, joining a growing global trend of tightening digital access for minors.

Officials say the combined measures are intended to create a healthier learning environment that prioritizes critical thinking, attention span, and core academic skills while still allowing older students to gradually adapt to modern technologies like artificial intelligence.

As countries around the world debate how AI should be integrated into education, Norway’s approach stands out for its caution, reflecting growing concerns about the impact of rapidly advancing technology on childhood development and classroom learning outcomes.