Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI) hosted a round table discussion with multi-stakeholder participants from Australia and Japan on the theme “The impact of social media on the mental health of children and young people and how social media should be used in society“.

In recent years, the deteriorating mental health of children and young people has become a serious global concern. In Japan, the number of suicides among primary and secondary school students reached a record high in 2024, and in Australia, around 20% of young people were reported to be suffering from high levels of psychological distress. To counter this situation, a thorough discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of mental health is warranted as well as evidence-based discourse on how best to promote healthy usage of social media platforms in children and young people.

Different countries have taken different policy responses to this situation. In Australia, a legislation was passed banning the use of social media by those under the age of 16, while in Japan, measures are being taken on the basis of coexistence, with operators taking voluntary measures and developing a consultation system. To promote optimal measures in the future to minimize risks while young people enjoy the benefits of social media, it is essential to discuss and collaborate with stakeholders from different fields, such as education, medicine and psychology, based on the limited scientific evidence currently available.

This roundtable discourse convened knowledgeable representatives with different perspectives and from different backgrounds, including the young people in question, researchers and policy makers from Japan and Australia. The discussion was based on the latest policy and research trends, scientific evidence and practical knowledge from a cross-sectoral perspective, with reference to the Australian approach.

[Event Overview]

• Date & Time: Friday, May 23, 2025; 16:45-18:15 (JST) |17:45-19:15 (AEST)
• Format: Online (Zoom Webinars)
• Language: Japanese and English (with simultaneous interpretation)
• Participation Fee: Free
• Host: Health and Global Policy Institute

[Program] (Titles omitted, no particular order)