Global Push for 'Youth Social Media Ban' Sparks Heated Debate in Korea

As the United Kingdom moves forward with legislation to restrict social media use for those under 16, online communities in South Korea are buzzing with calls for the country to adopt similar measures.

On the other hand, there is significant skepticism, with many arguing that teenagers will simply find ways to bypass such restrictions.

On June 16, various domestic online communities shared news reports detailing how the British government announced on June 15 (local time) that it is pursuing a ban on social media for minors, stating that these platforms are "designed to addict children."

The platforms subject to the ban include X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube.

However, messaging apps like WhatsApp are excluded, and exceptions will be made for certain services such as YouTube Kids and Google Classroom.

Legislative efforts to restrict youth access to social media are spreading across the globe.

In December of last year, Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media use for children under 16.

Since then, countries including Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia have also introduced similar legislation or announced age-restriction policies.

France, Greece, Austria, Denmark, and Spain are also currently reviewing the preparation of related bills.

In South Korea, five bills aimed at restricting youth social media use or strengthening protective measures are currently pending in the National Assembly.

In March, Representative Lee Yeon-hee of the Democratic Party of Korea and Representative Hwang Un-ha of the Rebuilding Korea Party each proposed amendments to the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, which would limit algorithms for minor accounts.

Previously, in July 2024, Representative Kim Jang-kyum of the People Power Party also proposed an amendment that would restrict algorithm-based post notifications for minors unless parental consent is obtained.

It appears that there is a bipartisan consensus that excessive immersion in smartphones and social media can impair the judgment and self-control of adolescents.

In Korea, there has been ongoing criticism that violent or provocative content spreads indiscriminately through social media.

Concerns have been raised that videos of soldiers killed during the Russia-Ukraine war have spread without restriction, and that these platforms are being used as distribution channels for harmful substances such as e-cigarettes and drugs.

Jang (34), a middle school teacher in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, said, "Even if we collect mobile phones before class, we cannot stop students from using spare devices or second phones," adding, "Teachers and parents have no way of knowing if they are sharing harmful content among themselves during breaks or after school."

Online communities are currently divided over the global trend of social media regulation.

Those in favor argue, "Domestic adoption is urgent," and "If countries that prioritize freedom of expression are implementing such regulations, it shows the problem is serious. We should do it too."

Conversely, many are questioning the effectiveness of such measures, with comments such as, "This is no different from the abolished 'shutdown system' or the controversy over registering game addiction as a disease," and "Even if they regulate it like this, everyone will end up using social media anyway."

(Photo: Yonhap News TV, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.