On 18 May, the Japan Parliamentarians Federation for Population (JPFP) Project Team (PT) on Life Safety Education held a meeting on children’s internet regulations, inviting Professor Takeuchi Kazuo of the University of Hyogo as a guest speaker. The meeting was moderated by Hon. Terata Shizuka, Secretary-General of the JPFP’s PT on Life Safety Education. At the outset, Hon. Dr. Abe Toshiko, Chair of the PT, delivered opening remarks and expressed her expectations for discussion on this highly relevant issue.

In his lecture, Prof. Takeuchi introduced the current situation in which more than 80% of first-grade elementary school students and 97% of first-year junior high school students use the internet. He also explained that smartphone use has spread even among elementary school children, while nearly all junior high and high school students now use smartphones. He presented data showing the increase in troubles related to social networking services (SNS) and online games beginning at the elementary school level, as well as the growing trend toward younger-age cyberbullying. Regarding institutional measures, Prof. Takeuchi explained that Japan has promoted initiatives such as the principle of mandatory internet filtering for minors under the 2008 “Act on Establishment of Enhanced Environment for Youth’s Safe and Secure Internet Use”. However, he stressed that existing systems have not been able to keep pace with the rapid spread of smartphones and SNS, underscoring the need for new institutional frameworks suited to the times. He also noted that some countries are struggling with how best to regulate children’s internet use, and that challenges remain regarding the effectiveness of age-verification systems. Prof. Takeuchi concluded by emphasizing that, in order to protect children’s safety online, it is essential to provide age-appropriate education on information ethics and to foster digital literacy. He further highlighted the importance of setting household rules from an early age and making sure children’s voices are heard, rather than viewing these issues only from an adult perspective.