Japan: Government panel calls for stricter social media checks to protect minors

Tokyo [Japan], June 3 (HBTV): A government panel in Japan on Tuesday called for strengthening the responsibilities of social media operators by requiring stricter age verification measures and restricting certain platform features, as part of a proposed framework aimed at protecting underage social media users, Kyodo News reported.

According to Kyodo News, the communications ministry panel noted that a blanket age-based ban, similar to those adopted in some countries, may not be appropriate, as social media serves as an important communication tool.

The draft report highlighted the need for measures to reduce young people's dependence on social media services in order to safeguard their physical and mental health.

The development comes amid the widespread adoption of smartphones and social media, which has raised concerns about their harmful effects, including the involvement of minors in criminal activities.

According to Kyodo News, existing measures in Japan have largely been limited to filtering services provided by mobile carriers to block access to harmful websites and parental monitoring at home.

Since last year, Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has been discussing expanding the role of social media platforms and smartphone operating system providers in protecting young users.

Kyodo News reported that the country's Children and Families Agency will determine specific measures and assess whether legal revisions are necessary after the final report, expected this summer, is submitted.

Japan joins a growing list of countries that have recently proposed or enacted laws regulating social media use among minors.

While France has been seeking to accelerate legal measures to ban social media use for children under the age of 15, Australia implemented a blanket ban on social media for children under 16 last year. Other countries, including Spain and Denmark, are also considering similar measures.

(ANI)