Japanese schoolchildren cross a street in Tokyo. - Photo: AFP
TOKYO: Australia’s decision to ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media has triggered a debate in Japan about the need for similar legislation to protect its young people.
The law was approved by the Australian senate on Thursday and will make some of the most popular social media platforms in the world – including Facebook, Snapchat, X, Reddit, Instagram and TikTok – liable for fines of up to A$50 million (US$32.6 million) if they fail to prevent children below 16 from having accounts.
A discussion on the same day on the TV Asahi “Hatori Shinichi Morning Show” news programme broadly concurred that Japan should consider similar restrictions.
The debate came following a news report about a 14-year-old junior high school student from Yokohama who has been referred to prosecutors on suspicion of intimidation and obstruction of business after she sent threatening emails to road safety advocate Takuya Matsunaga and the Kanto Traffic Crime Victims’ Association.
Matsunaga has been fiercely advocating for more road safety rules after his wife, Mana, and their daughter, three-year-old Riko, were killed by an elderly driver who went through a red light in Tokyo in 2019. The driver, Kozo Iizuka, claimed in court that his vehicle’s brakes had failed but the court ruled that he had pressed the accelerator.
Iizuka’s case has been back in the news this week after he died in prison on Tuesday at the age of 93.
For the record, Australia's parliament has passed legislation that bans the use of social media by children under the age of 16. The government says the measure is necessary to protect their mental health and wellbeing.
Both houses of Australia's parliament debated and revised the legislation this week. The senate approved it on Thursday and the lower house passed it on Friday.
The new law would require social media operators, such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X and Facebook, to take steps to keep children under 16 years old off their platforms.
But other services including those whose "primary purpose" is to support the "health and education of end-users" would be exempt.
Violators would face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars, which is about 32 million US dollars. Penalties would not be imposed on children if it is determined that they broke the rules. Their parents would not be penalized either.
The ban is expected to go into effect in about one year. Before it does, the government intends to determine how the age of a user should be verified.
The latest opinion polls show that 77 percent of Australians want the prohibition. But analysts say challenges remain, such as how to effectively check a user's age and how their personal information should be handled if they must prove they are over the age of 16.
What's behind the ban
Prior to the bill's introduction to parliament, Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese explained his government's rationale to push for the social media ban earlier this month.
"Social media is doing social harm to our young Australians and I am calling time on it. The safety and mental health of our young people has to be a priority," he said.
There have been reports of children suffering malicious bullying or sexual abuse through social media in Australia. In some cases, children have been driven to suicide.
Australia has taken a strict stance on social media as parents and others have called for restrictions. The government has been urging social media operators to delete violent content and sexual images of children. It has also been imposing fines on companies that don't take action.
Following the passing of the legislation, Albanese declared, "Platforms now have a social responsibility to ensure the safety of our kids is a priority for them."
"We've got your back is our message to Australian parents," he added.
How other countries are tackling children's social media use
Discussions are also underway around the world on restrictions on children's use of social media and measures to protect them from harmful content on the internet.
Many social media platforms, such as Instagram and X, have implemented measures to prevent children under the age of 13 from creating accounts.
France introduced a law last year that require social media providers to block access from children under 15 without parental consent.
In Norway, discussions are now underway to ban children under the age of 15 from using social media.
In America, some states have passed laws to restrict the use of social media by minors.
In Japan, Children's Policy Minister Mihara Junko said on Friday that a working group has been set up to discuss measures on how to protect children from harm caused by the internet.
Infringing children's rights?
However, organizations for the protection of children's rights say that it is problematic to completely ban access to social media.
They point out that social media bans will impact children's freedom of expression and the right to receive information, as stipulated in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
"It's an addiction for them."
Mia Bannister lost her only son Oliver in January, at the age of 14. He died by suicide after suffering an eating disorder. Bannister says her son felt as if he was overweight and would secretly search for information about dieting on social media, sometimes until late at night.
"It's an addiction for them," she says. "As an adult, you find it hard to stop yourself. Imagine a child doing that."
Oliver became obsessed with extreme diet restrictions and exercise. Eventually, he had to be hospitalized after his weight dropped from 74 kilograms to less than 50 kilograms in nine months.
Bannister believes social media algorithms are repeatedly displaying content, causing Oliver to become obsessive.
Although she says there will be "teething problems" instituting the ban, Bannister believes that it ultimately "will have power."
"It's not the silver bullet that will solve all the problems under the sun, but it is a start," she adds.
What Australians are saying
The passing of the social media ban legislation has elicited mixed reactions.
Following the passing of the legislation, NHK spoke with several Australians to get their thoughts. Some were optimistic that the ban will have a positive impact on children.
"I think it's a good idea," a woman in her 70s said. "We are very worried about what's happening to the young people, particularly all the young girls who have been bullied and who have taken their lives."
A 14-year-old boy agreed. "I think it would be good for kids to get off their phones," he said. "It's very addictive for young people. I just limit myself and only use it when I need to text my friends."
However, a 15-year-old girl said the ban will affect her negatively. "I have a lot of friends that don't live close to where I am and I don't see them a lot," she noted.
"I connect with them on social media, so it would affect my friendships. I can't talk with them and communicate with them."
Meta reacts
Social media giant Meta, which operates Facebook and Instagram, has also reacted to the social media ban. It released a statement prior to its passing that "we will respect any age limits introduced by the government."
But it added, "We are concerned the government is rushing this legislation without adequate consultation or evidence and there are still many unknowns with respect to its implementation."
What comes after
Following the passing of the legislation, Australia is grappling with how to institute the ban. Verifying the age of users is the first challenge.
According to a company commissioned by the government, several methods are being considered. These include facial biometric verification and ID card confirmation.
However, many people are concerned their personal information will be shared and their privacy will be compromised.
