Australia made waves recently when it announced it would ban social media for anyone under 16. Japan may not be leaning toward a ban. However, according to several recent polls, they think the government should do something to restrict youth usage.
A new poll by NTV News (not yet published on their polling website as of publication) asked respondents in the wake of the Australian ban whether Japan should also restrict minors’ social media access. A full 66% said yes, with only 27% opposed. The poll surveyed 1,018 people across Japan (410 by landline, 608 by cell phone).
This poll echoes a similar but more detailed result from Mainichi Shimbun. Their poll, conducted from December 14th to 15th (no polling details specified), found that 52% agreed with the statement, “It shouldn’t be banned [for anyone under 16] but there needs to be some sort of regulation.”
Another 30% said the country should follow Australia’s lead and ban it outright for minors. 44% of people over 70 agreed with either a ban or restrictions. Outside of them, 18-29 year-olds (16%), and 30-year-olds (11%), no other age group supported a ban in double-digit percentages.
Like other countries, Japan has wrestled with how to curb online harassment. The issue gained national attention after the suicide of pro wrestler Kimura Hana in 2020. Idol Fujisaki Nagi’s management company said earlier this year it would aggressively pursue online harassers after someone broke into her home following a wave of cruel abuse.
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