In an effort to quell growing fears regarding youth dependency, cyberbullying and exposure to material that is detrimental to them, Japan, through its Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, has revealed a draft plan that seeks to further tighten age checks on social media sites, curb cyberbullying and exposure to harmful content. 

According to Japan Today, “the ministry emphasised that the introduction of a blanket age-based restriction, similar to the one being adopted in foreign countries, would be undesirable under the role of social media as an important communication tool.”

The plans would also have platforms reviewing and reporting any potential risk posed by their services and imposing safeguards on younger users. Decisions to be made by the Children and Families Agency on the basis of concrete measures and whether there is a need to make changes in the law after the final report has been submitted this summer.

X and Instagram have a minimum age of 13, but verification only occurs based on self-reported data; therefore, it is easy to bypass the rules by underage users.

Firmer action has already been taken by other countries. In a move that was first in the world, Australia last year prohibited the use of social media by children under 16 years old, citing dangers to mental and physical health.

Indonesia followed suit with similar restrictions in March, and France now needs parental consent to open accounts by under-15s.

Nearer to home, Malaysia has a new Online Safety Act 2025, which obliges the foreign service provider to appoint a local representative and strengthens safeguards against harmful online content.

However, although this law does not amount to a total ban, it forms part of a regional trend as well as an attempt to enforce tougher digital regulations.

The approach of Japan is moderate and aimed at safeguarding young people, considering the role of social media as a means of communication and support networks.