Parents Divided as Japan Debates Social Media Regulations for Children

The issue of regulating children's use of social media is becoming a widely discussed topic. In November, Australia passed a bill prohibiting social media use for children under 16. This move has sparked similar discussions in Japan.

Each year, younger generations are spending more time on electronic devices, fueling concerns over addiction and worsening eyesight. There are also risks of exposure to crimes, such as being lured into illegal part-time jobs.

Despite these concerns, social media has undeniably become deeply integral to daily life. It is also often used as an effective learning tool. As a result, opinions on whether to impose regulations remain sharply divided.

Addicted to Videos

"We should impose restrictions on children's social media use in Japan as well," said Emi Wada, a 51-year-old housewife from Yao City, Osaka. She is raising a 14-year-old daughter in her second year of junior high school.

Wada limits her daughter's social media use, but her daughter watches videos recreationally on a school-issued tablet after her mother's time limit has passed. This behavior has left Wada increasingly worried about what she calls her daughter's "addiction."

This behavior has left Wada increasingly worried about what she calls her daughter's "addiction."

In October 2023, Wada discovered her daughter had arranged to meet someone she connected with on social media but had never met in person. "Luckily, I found out by chance. It terrifies me to think what might have happened if they had met," she said.

A company employee in his 40s from Taito Ward, Tokyo, who is raising two daughters aged eight and five, offered a different view. "It's the parents' responsibility to manage their children's social media use," he argued.

He allows his daughters to use social media for one hour in the morning and afternoon, setting an alarm to signal when time is up.

"Social media can broaden children's interests and serve as a learning tool," he noted, emphasizing its educational benefits. "But it's up to parents to monitor their children's use, and I don't want the government interfering."

Impact on Eyesight

A 2023 survey by the Children and Families Agency found that children as young as two spend an average of 1 hour and 46 minutes online on weekdays. By age 16, this rises to 6 hours and 22 minutes.

Early internet use has also been linked to declining eyesight. A 2023 survey by the education ministry reported the following percentages of students with unaided vision below 1.0:

High school students: 67.80%
Junior high school students: 60.93%
Elementary school students: 37.79%
Kindergarteners: 22.92%

Professor Daisuke Fujikawa, an educational methodology expert from Chiba University, shared his insights. "While it can detract from study time, social media also provides a method for children to think and research independently. It also provides valuable communication opportunities," he said.

Regarding regulation, he added, "Discussions should respect children's rights while seeking the best strategies for fostering effective learning."

Age Verification

Many other countries are also advancing discussions on this topic. Norway, for instance, is considering a ban on social media usage for those under 15.

One of the main challenges in enforcing such regulations is age verification. Proposed methods include requiring users to present identification or use biometric authentication.

IT journalist Yo Mikami highlighted the complexities of these approaches. "If all users are required to present identification to administrators, careful discussions are needed to determine who will manage this data and take responsibility," he stated.

Social Media and Crime

Social media has been a factor in numerous criminal activities involving children. One recurring issue is minors being arrested for participating in yami baito (illegal part-time jobs). These roles, such as those in robberies or special fraud schemes, are often advertised on social media as short-term, high-paying work.

The National Police Agency released a video warning about these illegal jobs in October. It reported that authorities have since taken protective measures for victims and their families in 125 yami baito cases nationwide by the end of November. Teenagers accounted for 30% of these cases.

Children communicating with strangers online is another growing concern. A survey by Tokyo authorities revealed that 20% of elementary, junior high, and high school students had interacted with strangers online. Of these, about 20% had shared photos or videos of their faces or bodies and 14% had met these individuals in person.

Online anonymity also fosters slander and harassment. In November, a 14-year-old third-year junior high school student from Yokohama City was referred to prosecutors for making threats. She had sent an email to Takuya Matsunaga, who lost his wife and child in a 2019 car accident in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district, threatening to kill him.

Government Initiatives

Efforts to protect children from harmful content online have sparked regulatory discussions in Japan.

In November, the government established a working group on protecting youth regarding internet usage. The group is led by the Children and Families Agency in collaboration with other experts.

Earlier in September, a basic plan was introduced to promote the use of filters to block harmful websites. Looking ahead, the government plans to explore more effective measures by considering approaches adopted in other countries.

Since 2019, the use of filtering on electronic devices used by minors has remained at around 40%. The Act on Development of an Environment That Provides Safe and Secure Internet Use for Young People mandates measures to ensure children's online safety. However, there are currently no specific regulations on social media.

(Read the article in Japanese.)

Authors: Ryota Tsukawaki, Misaki Owatari, The Sankei Shimbun