TOKYO: Australia’s decision to ban children under 16 from accessing social media has sparked a debate in Japan over the need for similar legislation to protect its youth.

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 to fines of up to A$50 million (US$32.6 $). million) if they fail to prevent children under 16 from having accounts.

A discussion that same day on TV Asahi’s “Hatori Shinichi Morning Show” news program agreed that Japan should consider similar restrictions.

The debate followed a news report about a 14-year-old high school student from Yokohama who has been referred to prosecutors on suspicion of threats and obstruction of business after she sent threatening emails to traffic safety lawyer Takuya Matsunaga and the Kanto Traffic Crime Victims Association.

Matsunaga has vehemently advocated for more road safety rules after his wife Mana and their daughter, three-year-old Riko, were killed by an elderly driver who ran a red light in Tokyo in 2019. The driver, Kozo Iizuka, claimed in court that his vehicle’s brakes had failed but the court struck although he pressed the gas pedal.

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 banning the use of social media by children under the age of 16. The government says the move is necessary to protect their mental health and well-being.

Both houses of Australia’s Parliament debated and revised the legislation this week. The Senate approved it on Thursday and the House of Commons 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 off their platforms.

But other services including those whose “primary purpose” is to support “end-user health and education” would be exempt.

Violators would be fined up to 49.5 million Australian dollars, which is about 32 million US dollars. Penalties would not be imposed on children if they were found to have broken the rules. Their parents would not be punished either.

The ban is expected to come into force in about a year. Before doing so, the government intends to establish how a user’s age should be verified.

The latest opinion polls show that 77 percent of Australians want the ban. But analysts say challenges remain, such as how to effectively verify a user’s age and how their personal information should be handled if they have to prove they are over 16.

What is behind the ban

Before the bill was introduced to parliament, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese explained his government’s rationale for pushing the social media ban earlier this month.

“Social media is doing social harm to our young Australians and I want to address that. The safety and mental health of our young people must be a priority,” he said.

There have been reports of children being maliciously bullied or sexually assaulted via 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 called on social media operators to remove violent content and sexual images of children. Fines have also been imposed on companies that do not take action.

Following the passage of the legislation, Albanese explained, “Platforms now have a social responsibility to ensure that the safety of our children is a priority for them.”

“We’ve got your back is our message to Australian parents,” he added.

How other countries tackle children’s use of social media

There are also ongoing discussions around the world about 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 requiring social media providers to block access by children under 15 without parental consent.

In Norway, there are now discussions about banning children under 15 from using social media.

In America, some states have passed laws to restrict minors’ use of social media.

In Japan, Children’s Policy Minister Mihara Junko said Friday that a task force has been set up to discuss measures to protect children from harm caused by the Internet.

Violating children’s rights?

However, organizations for the protection of children’s rights believe that it is problematic to completely ban access to social media.

They point out that banning social media will affect children’s freedom of expression and right to receive information, according to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

“It’s an addiction for them.”

Mia Bannister lost her only son Oliver in January, aged 14. He died by suicide after suffering from an eating disorder. Bannister says her son felt like he was overweight and would surreptitiously search for diet information on social media, sometimes late into the night.

“It’s an addiction for them,” she says. “As an adult, you have a hard time stopping yourself. Imagine a child doing that.”

Oliver became obsessed with extreme dietary 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 that social media algorithms show content repeatedly, causing Oliver to become obsessed.

Although she says there will be “childishness” when the ban is introduced, Bannister believes it will ultimately “have power.”

“It’s not the silver bullet that’s going to solve every problem under the sun, but it’s a start,” she adds.

What the Australians say

The passage of the social media ban legislation has drawn mixed reactions.

Following the passage of the legislation, NHK spoke to 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,” said a woman in her 70s. “We are very concerned about what is happening to the young people, especially all the young girls who have been bullied and who have taken their own lives.”

A 14-year-old boy agreed. “I think it would be good for kids to get rid of 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 near where I am and I don’t see them that much,” she noted.

“I connect with them on social media, so it would affect my friendships. I can’t talk to them and communicate with them.”

Meta reacts

Social media giant Meta, which runs Facebook and Instagram, has also reacted to the social media ban. It released a statement before it went away that “we will respect any age limits imposed by the government.”

But it added, “We are concerned that the government is rushing through this legislation without adequate consultation or evidence and there are still many unknowns in terms of its implementation.”

What comes after

After the legislation was passed, Australia grappled with how to implement the ban. Verifying users’ age is the first challenge.

According to a company commissioned by the government, several methods are being considered. These include biometric verification of the face and ID card confirmation.

But many people are concerned that their personal information will be shared and their privacy compromised.