Norway restricts AI tools for Children as Schools refocus on reading, writing and math

Norway is taking a hard line on generative AI in schools, introducing new rules that will largely prevent primary school pupils from using AI tools in the classroom.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said the goal is to stop young children from skipping essential parts of the learning process. Speaking at a press conference, he argued that schools should first make sure children learn the basics: reading, writing and mathematics. The new standards are set to apply from the next school year, which begins in late August.

The restriction applies most strongly to pupils from first through seventh grade, roughly ages 6 to 13. Under the new policy, these students should generally not use generative AI tools during school activities.

Norway is not applying the same rule across all age groups. Students aged 14 to 16 will be allowed to use generative AI only cautiously and under teacher supervision. Older students, from around 17 to 19, are expected to learn how to use AI responsibly as preparation for further education and work.

The decision fits into a broader shift in Norwegian education policy. After years of digital expansion in classrooms, the government has started to question how much technology should be placed in front of children during early education. Reuters reports that Norway also plans to fund more books in classrooms, reversing part of the move toward tablets and screens.

Norway had already moved in this direction in 2024 with restrictions on smartphones in schools. Research linked to Norwegian school phone bans found lower bullying levels and improved grades, with particularly clear effects for girls.

The country is also preparing a separate proposal that would ban social media use for children under 16, following a similar direction taken by Australia. According to Reuters, the proposal is expected to be presented to parliament by the end of the year.

The debate is not limited to Europe. In the United States, lawmakers are also looking at how children interact with AI chatbots. The GUARD Act, formally the Guidelines for User Age-verification and Responsible Dialogue Act, has advanced through the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and would introduce age verification and restrictions around AI companions for minors.

That bill has already been narrowed. Early discussion focused on broader AI chatbot access, while the current approach is more centered on “AI companions” — systems designed to simulate personal or emotional interaction. Critics argue that this could leave loopholes if companies present chatbot features as secondary parts of larger search or productivity tools.

For schools, the Norwegian approach marks one of the clearest government responses yet to a question educators are still trying to answer: when does AI help students learn, and when does it simply do the work for them?