A school in Hiroshima, Japan, has turned down the opportunity to participate in a major sports tournament due to concerns surrounding social networking services (SNS). The decision is seen as a reaction to the difficulties posed by the rapid dissemination of information and incidents of online harassment. The school administrators aim to protect their students from the hazards of social media in the context of high-publicity events.

In Japan, this news can be seen as part of a broader national conversation about the impact of social media on youth and education. Care for the mental well-being of students is a fundamental value in the Japanese educational system. The use of SNS, while a part of modern life, has brought unique challenges such as cyber-bullying and privacy concerns, leading some institutions to take proactive measures such as this one.

In the US or EU, there are similar issues around the use of SNS at school events. However, the response varies, with some schools promoting digital literacy and online etiquette, while others like the school in Hiroshima opting out of events that bring exposure on SNS. The discussion around digital ethics and the need to protect students is common across all countries.