Topic: 2025 – Protecting and Empowering Youth in Digital Spaces
Country: Japan
Delegate Name: Ava Nguyen
Human Rights Committee
Protecting and Empowering Youth in Digital Spaces
Nation of Japan
Ava Nguyen
Forest Hills Eastern High School
With the current age of digital platforms and internet usage, the increase of children accessing technology that jeopardizes their safety has posed a great concern for the Human Rights Committee. According to UNICEF, approximately one-third of all internet users globally are children. In online spaces, youth are exposed to harmful content, exploitation, privacy violations, and commercial manipulation. Additionally, with artificial intelligence (AI) becoming exponentially more accessible to regular users, abuse of the technology can enable further harmful effects. In September 2024, the United Nations adopted the Global Digital Compact, which commits to strengthen legal and policy frameworks that protects the rights of a child in a digital space, ensuring safety and security. With nearly 98.7% of minors aged 10-17 in Japan using the internet daily, Japan is committed to providing the youth a safe online environment where they are protected, yet also enjoy the valuable tools and connections that the digital world presents.
Japan acknowledges the negative effects that internet spaces pose for young people regarding their safety and privacy. In 2009, the non-profit organization Japan Internet Safety Promotion Association (JISPA) was founded to connect and empower youth with internet use, teaching safety and media literacy. Their major project in 2023 worked in cooperation with local middle and high schools which communicated key values. Additionally, in May 2025, Schools on Internet Governance Japan (SIG-Japan) hosted a seminar on digital spaces and youth safety online in Kyoto, Japan. This seminar advocated creating a safe internet environment which actively engages in youth empowerment and community. Furthermore, Japan’s Act on Establishment of Enhanced Environment for Youth’s Safe and Secure Internet Use passed in 2008—revised in 2018—is a law that requires mobile phones operators to provide filtering services to minors by default. This blocks access to specific harmful platforms to encourage internet safety. The law also mandates the promotion of education and awareness of appropriate internet use in schools, homes, and communities, in order to improve digital media literacy. Though many advances in policies help protect and empower the youth of Japan, higher standards and rights are necessary to fully allow young people to lead in a digital environment.
The nation of Japan encourages the United Nations to strengthen child data protection regulations, and to develop effective mechanisms that ensure the safety of youth in online spaces. It is also crucial that the rising generation are given the tools to lead their communities using technology. Young people must not only be protected from abuses, but also trusted and equipped to participate in shaping their future digitally.
