Japan’s Internal Affairs Ministry has formally signaled a shift away from a blanket age-based ban on social media for children, with a working group concluding in June that such a move is “not desirable.” Instead, the government is focusing on a framework of risk management, requiring platforms to conduct mandatory risk assessments and implement default-on safety protections for younger users.
The Shift Toward Risk Management
The Japanese government’s decision reflects an evolving approach to digital safety, prioritizing targeted regulation over broad prohibitions.
The draft report suggests that companies must publish their risk assessment findings and establish external review mechanisms to ensure safety measures remain effective. This strategy moves the burden of protection from the individual user to the service provider, aiming to mitigate harms such as exposure to inappropriate content or predatory behavior without restricting access entirely.
Human Rights and Digital Protections
The debate in Japan is framed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which the country ratified in 1994. Critics, including Human Rights Watch, argue that while a blanket ban is inconsistent with international human rights law—which requires restrictions to be lawful, necessary, and proportionate—the government’s current risk management approach does not go far enough in recognizing children’s fundamental rights.
The Committee on the Rights of the Child’s General Comment No. 25 emphasizes that digital environments must be designed with the best interests of the child in mind. Advocates suggest that Japan should align its legislative efforts with these international standards to ensure that safety measures are not merely reactive but are embedded into the architecture of digital platforms.
Addressing Data Privacy Gaps
A primary concern remains the collection and monetization of children’s data. Research into educational technology products—some of which have been recommended by Japan’s Ministry of Education—reveals that these platforms often track children’s behavior and share data with third parties for advertising purposes.
To address these vulnerabilities, experts suggest that Japan needs to modernize the Act on the Protection of Personal Information. Proposed legislative improvements include:
- Default-on Privacy Settings: Platforms should be required to set the highest level of privacy and safety as the standard for all accounts held by minors.
- Algorithmic Limitations: Disabling features such as infinite scrolling, push notifications, and recommendation algorithms that may encourage excessive usage.
- Stricter Data Enforcement: Implementing a robust legal framework that provides the resources and authority to enforce data protection against companies that fail to secure children’s information.
Future Policy Outlook
Japan faces the challenge of creating "future-proof" regulations that can keep pace with rapidly advancing digital technologies. By centering children's rights and privacy in the policy process, the government aims to establish a model for online safety that balances protection with the right to participate in the digital world.