JAKARTA - Some Japanese teenagers are allegedly starting to have difficulty controlling their use of social media. The latest survey shows that 7 percent of young people aged 10 to 19 years old fall into the category suspected of being "pathological users" of social media.
The findings came from a survey of the National Hospital Organization Kurihama Medical and Addiction Center, according to a Kyodo News report quoted on Saturday, May 2. The figure in the 10-19 age group was the highest compared to other age groups.
"Pathological users" refer to people who are suspected of having difficulty reducing their use of social media. Not just opening the application frequently. In the survey, respondents were also asked if they had ever failed to reduce their use of social media and if they had ever lied to friends or family about the amount of time spent on social media.
The survey was conducted in January-February 2025. The medical institution based in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, targeted 9,000 people aged 10 to 79 years old in 400 locations across Japan. Answers were received from 4,650 respondents.
Respondents were given nine questions. Those who answered "yes" to at least five questions were considered potentially addicted to social media. The medical center uses a method developed abroad.
As a result, the 10-19 age group recorded the highest figure, namely 7 percent. The 20-year-old age group was 4.7 percent, 30-year-olds 1.1 percent, 40-year-olds 0.8 percent, and 50-year-olds 0.6 percent.
Of those who are suspected of having problems with social media use, 30 percent admitted to being online "six hours or more" on weekdays. On weekends, the figure rises to 62 percent.
Kyodo News reported that a number of research findings showed a link between the use of social media and crime and mental health problems in children. Therefore, Australia and Indonesia have moved to ban children under 16 from using social media.
In Japan, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the Child and Family Agency also discussed ways to deal with this issue.
The medical center advises families to make rules before buying a child a smart phone. The rules need to include when and where the device can be used, as well as the consequences if violated.
The center also asked parents to give "good examples" in the use of social media.
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