Japan is considering banning social networking sites in Australia for under-16s over addiction concerns

Australiadecision to prohibit access to children under 16 years of age social networks caused a debate in Japan about the need for such legislation to protect 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, Xreddit, Instagram and TikTok – liable for fines of up to A$50 million (US$32.6 million) if they do not prevent children under 16 from having accounts.

A discussion on the same day on TV Asahi’s “Hatori Shinichi Morning Show” generally agreed that Japan should consider similar restrictions.

The debate follows a news report about a 14-year-old junior high school student from Yokohama who was referred to prosecutors on suspicion of intimidation and obstructing business after she sent threatening emails to traffic safety advocate Takuya Matsunaga and Kanto Traffic Crime . Association of victims.

Matsunaga has been a passionate advocate for tougher road safety regulations since his wife Mana and their daughter, 3-year-old Riko, were killed by an elderly driver who ran a red light in Tokyo in 2019. The driver, Kozo Iizuka, claimed in court that his car’s brakes had failed, but the court ruled that he had stepped on the gas pedal.

Iizuka’s case was in the news again this week after he died in prison on Tuesday at the age of 93.