Japan eyes Australia’s under-16 social media ban amid addiction worries


Japanese schoolchildren cross a street in Tokyo. - Photo: AFP

TOKYO: Australia’s decision to ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media has triggered a debate in Japan about the need for similar legislation to protect its young people.

The law was approved by the Australian senate on Thursday and will make some of the most popular social media platforms in the world – including Facebook, Snapchat, X, Reddit, Instagram and TikTok – liable for fines of up to A$50 million (US$32.6 million) if they fail to prevent children below 16 from having accounts.

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Japan , Mulling Act , Social Media , Ban , Under-16

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