The latest update to the government's plan for measures to protect youths from crimes and other troubles linked to the internet calls for a response to widening use by younger children and its associated problems. In light of the shocking case of murders that came to light last year, in which a man in Zama, Kanagawa Prefecture, targeted nine people aged between 15 and 26, including a high school girl, because they posted Twitter messages expressing a wish to commit suicide, the plan would also have the government pushing operators of social networking sites to delete harmful postings, including information related to suicide, and promoting monitoring of the sites by nonprofit groups.
There will be limits, however, to cracking down on information on social networking service sites that could put youths and children in trouble. Efforts are needed in schools to better educate children on the potential risks that could arise from using the internet, along with steps to facilitate discussions between parents and their children about adequate rules on internet access.
Small children, including those in lower grades in elementary schools or even of pre-elementary school age, are accessing the internet in increasing numbers via smartphones. Bullying of children in cyberspace is a growing problem.