JAPAN CONSIDERS SOCIAL MEDIA AGE LIMITS

Several countries have recently introduced or proposed regulations limiting young people's access to social media. Australia passed legislation requiring age verification for users under 16, while the UK and EU have implemented stricter content moderation standards. Japan's consideration of age restrictions comes as policymakers worldwide grapple with documented harms linked to social media use among minors, including mental health issues and cyberbullying. The specifics of Japan's proposed measures remain unclear. Implementation would require coordination between the government and major platforms operating in the country. Tech companies have generally resisted blanket age restrictions, arguing that parental controls and user education offer better solutions. However, regulatory momentum is building globally as lawmakers prioritize child safety over industry preferences.