A government survey released in Japan on Monday found that a majority of people aged 15 to 39 support restricting children's use of social media services. However, support was lowest among teenagers, highlighting a clear generational split.
According to the survey results, while there is broad consensus on the need for measures to protect children online, support declines with age, particularly among those directly affected by potential regulations. Teenagers, who are the heaviest social media users, showed less enthusiasm for imposing limits.
The survey comes as the Japanese government weighs policies to manage internet and social media use among minors, a growing concern for parents and policymakers. The divergence in views across age groups may be an important factor to consider when designing appropriate regulations.
The data also revealed a notable trend: while most young adults perceive social media as posing risks to children, the surveyed teens themselves hold a different view, possibly because they see it as an integral part of their daily social lives and communication. This outcome poses a challenge for the government as it seeks to balance child safety with young people's freedom to access information.
