Japan proposes legislation to restrict youth use of social media, as the global regulation wave continues to spread

Japan’s Communications Ministry research team is considering requiring social media platforms to enable age filtering by default, with the earliest possible implementation of legal amendments or new guidelines by the end of this year, adding to the regulatory efforts of countries like Australia, the UK, and Indonesia.
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• Legislation driven by mental health concerns
• Age threshold remains undecided; experts cautious about “one-size-fits-all” approach
• Limited deterrent effect of Australia’s ban; countries still racing to follow

Japan’s government is considering implementing age-based restrictions on social media platforms, joining a global trend of tightening digital regulation to protect minors. Bloomberg reports that the Communications Ministry research team released related documents this week, discussing the requirement for platforms to enable age-based content filtering by default.

Bloomberg notes that the team plans to publish a report this summer, which could lead to amendments or new standards before the end of the year. Currently, Japanese regulations require mobile carriers and internet providers to offer filtering services for minors, but if parents actively opt out, providers are not required to enforce it. This loophole is one of the focal points of the upcoming legislation.

Legislation driven by mental health concerns

According to survey data from the Communications Ministry, Japanese teenagers spend nearly 70 minutes daily on social media on average. LINE and YouTube are the most popular platforms, with Instagram experiencing rapid growth in recent years, reaching a penetration rate of 75% among teenagers in 2024, a significant jump from 25% ten years ago.

Psychologists continue to warn about the potential impact of social media on minors’ mental health.

Bloomberg reports that data from Japan’s Ministry of Education shows that in 2024, over 27k reports of defamation, bullying, or unpleasant experiences occurring via computers or mobile devices have been filed, with numbers steadily rising in recent years. Some psychologists link social media use to cyberbullying, body image distortion, eating disorders, and suicide risk.

Age threshold remains undecided; experts cautious about “one-size-fits-all” approach

Bloomberg points out that the research team has not established a specific age threshold for discussion. Experts attending the meeting warn that different platforms face different risk structures, and a uniform age limit may not be the most appropriate solution.

On the technical side, participants suggested verifying user age through telecom providers’ data, but expressed concerns about privacy risks; others questioned whether users could bypass verification by entering false ages, which would significantly undermine the effectiveness of filtering mechanisms.

The team’s proposal also includes establishing a platform rating system, evaluating platforms based on content filtering, usage time limits, advertising restrictions, and other protective measures, making it easier for users to compare the risk levels of different platforms.

Limited deterrent effect of Australia’s ban; countries still racing to follow

After Australia forcibly shut down 4.7 million underage accounts last December, the results have been mixed: some parents reported behavioral improvements in their children, but others saw kids switch to other apps or bypass restrictions. Even if they cannot comment or message, minors can still browse content as long as platforms do not require login.

Nevertheless, the global wave of regulation continues to spread. Countries like the UK, Greece, and Indonesia have introduced similar measures; a court in California ruled in March this year that Meta and Alphabet must pay $6 million in damages, recognizing that their platforms are intentionally designed to be addictive—an important precedent for pushing stricter regulation.

Bloomberg believes that Japan’s move marks a shift from “recommendation-based” to “mandatory” social media regulation, but the final details—such as the age threshold, verification mechanisms, and penalty design—are still to be finalized in this summer’s report.