Norway has decreed that generative AI should effectively be banned for schoolchildren up to the age of 13, with guidelines coming into force in September. Children in grades 1-7 (primary school, younger than 13) will "generally not be given access to AI" according to the official ruling. From ages 13 and up, "AI can be used gradually and cautiously", provided teachers have been given the necessary training. The Norwegian government emphasizes that basic reading, writing, and math skills should come first, noting that skills and grades have been in decline for kids in Norway over the last few years. The official statement explains that "research shows that uncritical use of generative AI in schools increases the risk of skipping important stages of learning" and that "the youngest students do not have the knowledge, critical reflection and self-regulation needed to use AI well." Phones have been banned from school classrooms in Norway since 2024, and the restrictions on AI use come after social media was banned for under-16s earlier this year.