Ministers Karianne Tung and Lene Vagslid met with representatives from Google, Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat.

On Thursday, Norwegian ministers met with representatives from major technology companies, urging them to take greater responsibility in protecting children and young people from harmful content on digital platforms.

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The meeting, held during the 20th United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Lillestrom, brought together Norway’s Minister of Digitalization and Public Governance Karianne Tung and Minister of Children and Families Lene Vagslid, alongside representatives from Google, Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat.

The meeting followed up on similar discussions held in December last year, focusing on the specific steps technology companies have taken to safeguard children on their platforms.

Recent findings from the Norwegian Media Authority’s report “Children and Media 2024” show that online risks remain widespread among young users.

According to the report, 22 percent of children surveyed had received unwanted sexual comments in the past year, and 30 percent had received nude photos.

The Norwegian government is currently preparing new legislation to raise the minimum age for using social media to 15. It is also working on an amendment to the Personal Data Act to increase the age threshold for parental consent for processing children’s personal data from 13 to 15. Both proposals are expected to be submitted for public consultation this year.

The 20th IGF, held until Friday under the theme “Building Digital Governance Together,” has attracted over 800 in-person participants and more than 8,000 online attendees.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: Xinhua

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