More Norwegian youth want to cut social media use, survey finds

A growing number of Norwegian children and young people want to reduce their social media consumption, according to a new survey from the Norwegian Media Authority. The report, based on responses from 1,750 young people aged 9 to 18, found that 38% believe they spend too much time on social platforms, while 30% wish they could log off more frequently—a slight increase from 2024 figures.

Addictive Design and Fear of Missing Out

Researcher Henrik Haug Saetra noted that major social media platforms employ teams of experts dedicated to maximizing user engagement. Kamilla Steinnes, a researcher at OsloMet, described this phenomenon as "addictive design," explaining that even she finds it difficult to log off. Short, entertaining videos create a sense of community and belonging while keeping users feeling up to date. "If you log out, the fear of missing out increases. This makes it difficult to put your phone away," Steinnes told public broadcaster NRK.

Sleep Disruption

The survey also revealed that 28% of respondents agree that social media prevents them from getting enough sleep, highlighting the tangible health impacts of excessive screen time on young people. The findings add to growing concerns about the psychological and physical effects of platform design on adolescent development.

Global Context

The Norwegian report comes amid intensifying international efforts to restrict or ban minors' social media use. Governments worldwide are grappling with how to protect young people from harmful content and addictive algorithms while balancing freedom of expression and parental rights. The survey underscores that young users themselves recognize the problem, with increasing numbers expressing desire to disconnect even as platform design makes doing so increasingly challenging.