Japanese Youth Spending More Time Online

Young Japanese people are spending longer online. A Cabinet Office survey found that over 90% of those aged 10 to 17 used the Internet in fiscal 2018. The age group’s average time spent online was 2 hours and 49 minutes, a 9-minute increase over the previous year. The average among high school students was 3 hours and 37 minutes, a year-on-year increase of 3 minutes. Meanwhile, elementary school children spent an average of 1 hour and 58 minutes online, 21 minutes more than in fiscal 2017, and average use among junior high school students rose by 15 minutes, to 2 hours and 44 minutes.

Smartphones accounted for about 60% of usage, as the ability to access the Internet anywhere seems to be leading to more time spent online. The most common online activities are watching videos, playing games, and communicating with others.

The convenience of the Internet and its entertaining content have made it an indispensable part of the lives of children and adults alike, although there are dangers associated with becoming too dependent, such as sleeping disorders, less real contact with friends, and depression.

(Translated from Japanese. Banner photo © Pixta.)