Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of everyday life, and that includes classrooms. Students are turning to tools like ChatGPT for homework, research, writing assistance, and even basic questions. But a growing number of educators, researchers, and policymakers are questioning whether introducing children to AI at such a young age could do more harm than good.
Norway appears to agree. The country has announced a near-total ban on generative AI tools for elementary school students, arguing that children need to develop fundamental reading, writing, and math skills without relying on AI. The move could become an early sign of a broader trend, especially as governments around the world take a tougher stance on children’s use of technology.
Why is Norway restricting AI in schools?
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said the government is concerned that AI could cause younger students to skip important stages of learning. The administration argues that reading, writing, and mathematics should remain the primary focus during a child’s early education.
That said, Norway is not completely shutting the door on AI in education. Under the new guidance, students aged 6 to 13 should generally not use generative AI tools, while those between 14 and 16 may use them under teacher supervision. Students in upper secondary education, aged 17 to 19, will be taught how to use AI responsibly so they are better prepared for higher education and the workplace.
A recent study found that even short periods of AI-assisted work may reduce independent critical thinking. Participants who relied on AI assistance were significantly more likely to struggle or give up when that assistance was removed, suggesting that frequent reliance on AI may reduce persistence and independent thinking.
The study focused on adults, which raises an obvious question. If mature minds can become dependent on AI after only brief exposure, what happens when children with developing brains use these tools every day? That question is becoming increasingly difficult for educators and policymakers to ignore, and Norway’s new restrictions suggest some governments are no longer willing to wait for a definitive answer.
Are AI restrictions the next big policy trend?
Norway’s AI restrictions are part of a wider trend. The country has already banned smartphones in schools and has proposed tighter controls on children’s access to social media. Similar debates are taking place around the world as governments become increasingly willing to intervene when new technologies are seen as posing risks to young users.
Just a few years ago, the idea of restricting children’s access to social media platforms was viewed by many as unrealistic. Today, age-verification laws, smartphone bans, and social media restrictions are becoming increasingly common. AI could be heading down a similar path.