Internet Use in Japan: A recent survey by Japan’s Children and Families Agency has shed light on a growing trend: young children are using the internet more than ever before. Conducted in fiscal 2024, the survey shows that children up to age nine are not only accessing the internet in greater numbers but also spending more time online. This shift highlights both the opportunities and challenges of raising kids in a digital age, as parents and experts navigate the balance between technology’s benefits and potential risks.
Survey Insights: More Kids Online, Longer Hours
The survey reached out to around 3,000 parents of children aged nine and under, with 1,964 responding. The results are striking: 78.5% of these children use the internet, whether for watching videos, playing games, or other activities. This is a significant jump from 2018, when only 56.9% of kids in this age group were online—a rise of over 21 percentage points. The trend is clear: internet use among young children is becoming the norm.
Breaking it down by age, the data shows even babies are part of this digital wave. About 10.1% of infants under one year old are using the internet, while 42.9% of one-year-olds and 56.4% of two-year-olds are online. By ages eight and nine, over 90% of children are regular internet users. These numbers reflect how deeply technology has woven itself into everyday life, even for the youngest members of society.
Time spent online is also climbing. In 2024, 50.8% of children spent more than two hours per weekday on the internet, up 7 points from 2021. On average, kids are now online for two hours and nine minutes each weekday, an increase of 19 minutes compared to three years ago. This rise suggests that screens are becoming a bigger part of children’s daily routines.
Expert Perspective: Opportunities and Concerns
Professor Takeuchi Kazuo from the University of Hyogo, one of the experts analyzing the survey, noted that the internet has become a familiar part of children’s lives. Smartphones and tablets can be lifesavers for parents, offering educational content or a moment of quiet during busy days. However, Kazuo cautioned that extended screen time could disrupt healthy lifestyles or even lead to addiction. While the exact impact on young children remains unclear, he emphasized the need for ongoing research to ensure kids use the internet in ways that support their well-being.
The survey’s findings spark important questions about how to guide children in a digital world. While the internet offers endless learning opportunities, it also poses risks like exposure to inappropriate content or unhealthy habits. Parents face the challenge of setting boundaries while embracing technology’s benefits.
What’s Next?
As internet use among young children continues to grow, Japan’s Children and Families Agency is likely to keep monitoring these trends. Future surveys could explore how screen time affects children’s health, social skills, or academic performance. For now, the data serves as a reminder for parents to stay engaged in their kids’ digital lives, ensuring technology enhances rather than overshadows their childhood.
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FAQs about Internet Use in Japan
1. How many children in Japan use the internet, according to the 2024 survey?
The 2024 Children and Families Agency survey found that 78.5% of children aged nine and under use the internet, a significant increase from 56.9% in 2018.
2. What are the risks of young children spending too much time online?
Extended internet use may lead to disorderly lifestyles or addiction, though the full impact is unclear. Experts suggest monitoring screen time to promote healthy habits.
Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250504_11/
