Regulating teen social media use medically sound, says Japanese expert

Regulating social media use among adolescents is a medically justifiable approach, according to a Japanese expert who likens its effects to addiction.

Masaki Yamada, a professor at Toyama University specializing in social medicine, stated in an interview with the Asahi Shimbun that social media platforms not only offer communication but also foster dependency. He believes that restricting usage for adolescents, whose brains are still developing, is medically appropriate. Yamada explained that ceasing social media use can trigger anxiety and discomfort, leading to repeated engagement to escape these feelings, a cycle he defines as addiction.

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Social media not only provides users with the pleasure and convenience of communication but also induces dependency. I believe regulating the use of social media by adolescents, whose brains are not fully mature, is medically sound.

He highlighted how social media platforms are designed to increase user engagement by stimulating emotions like excitement and anger, while notification features create a constant pull back into the apps, disrupting daily life. The fear of social exclusion, such as losing "Facebook friends," also contributes to this dependency.

Globally, several nations are taking legislative action. According to Tech Policy Press, seven countries, including Australia, China, and Brazil, have laws restricting adolescent social media use. France and the UK have passed related legislation, while 14 countries, including South Korea and the United States, are considering similar measures. Japan, however, has shifted its approach from government regulation to urging platform providers to implement effective self-regulation measures.

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When you stop using social media, which you started for fun, you feel anxiety and discomfort, and you repeat the usage to escape this feeling. This state, which interferes with life, is 'addiction'.

Yamada suggests that the issue of social media addiction may appear less pronounced in Japan compared to other countries not because Japanese youth are less addicted, but due to cultural factors. He points to a societal reluctance to openly discuss personal problems and a more subdued media coverage of the issue. Additionally, the Japanese government may be hesitant to implement strict regulations due to concerns over freedom of expression and information access, alongside the practical challenges of enforcing such rules effectively.

To assess personal reliance, Yamada recommends a simple self-test: abstaining from smartphone use for a day. Experiencing anxiety or irritability during this period may indicate a strong dependency. He also advises parents to limit their own extensive social media use at home to protect their children and encourages seeking professional help if addiction is already present.

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Adolescents who are not fully mature may experience anxiety or irritability, and in some cases, abnormal sweating when they abstain from social media for about a day.