"Instagram and Now KakaoTalk?": Potential Age Restrictions for Under-14s on Naver and Kakao

As the government discusses restricting social media sign-ups for children under 14 to prevent excessive immersion among domestic youth, it has been learned that the plan under consideration includes not only global IT giants like Google and Meta but also domestic companies such as Naver and Kakao.

Kim Jong-cheol, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, stated during a presidential briefing held at the Blue House on July 16 that "the issue of youth over-immersion is a global phenomenon with high social interest," and that the commission is preparing regulatory measures for minors' use of social media.

[Kim Jong-cheol/Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission: We are exploring phased regulations, such as restricting sign-ups for those under 14, and limiting the exposure of algorithms and features that induce over-immersion to adolescents up to age 19.]

While the specific scope of application will be determined by enforcement decrees after the legislation is enacted, it is reported that the number of users is being considered as a likely criterion for designation.

Under such criteria, it is expected that not only Google, which operates YouTube, and Meta, which operates Instagram and Facebook, but also Naver and Kakao will be subject to the regulations.

It is reported that the Korea Communications Commission is pushing to include the authorities' regulatory direction and detailed opinions in a new bill to be proposed by a ruling party lawmaker from the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee.

With seven bills related to youth social media regulation already pending in the 22nd National Assembly, it is expected that adjustments will be made during the review process alongside the newly proposed bill, following deliberations on issues such as the age of regulation and methods for parental consent.

The Blue House also released a statement today, saying, "We plan to actively support the development of reasonable measures during the discussion process of the pending amendments to the Information and Communications Network Act and other related bills in the National Assembly regarding youth social media policy."

Reported by Kim Taewon | Video by Na Hong-hee | Graphics by Lee Jung-ju | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.