Gyeonggi-do Expands Support for Internet and Smartphone Overdependence Counseling and Treatment

Promotional Poster for Wisely Overcoming Internet and Smartphone Overdependence in Gyeonggi-do

Gyeonggi Province, together with the Gyeonggi Youth Counseling and Welfare Center, provides various customized services such as counseling, treatment cost support, and parent education for internet and smartphone overdependent youth aged 9 to 24 and their guardians.

First, in cooperation with the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, the province will conduct a "Youth Internet and Smartphone Usage Habit Diagnostic Survey" targeting 4th-grade elementary, 1st-grade middle, and 1st-grade high school students in the school transition period from March 27 to April 21.

Based on the diagnostic survey results, youth and their guardians identified as "caution user group" or "risk user group" will receive healing services tailored to the degree of overdependence, including individual and group counseling, hospital treatment, and residential healing programs.

The province will conduct additional tests for the risk user group and provide comprehensive psychological assessments and treatment costs if comorbid conditions such as depression or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are present alongside overdependence issues. Treatment cost support generally covers up to 400,000 KRW, and up to 600,000 KRW for socially vulnerable individuals facing economic difficulties.

Additionally, youth outside of school and reclusive youth who are not subject to the diagnostic survey will also undergo the survey through cooperation with related organizations. They can receive the same healing services as students in the school transition period.

Guardians can receive counseling if needed based on their child's diagnostic survey results. They can also use parent education services focused on understanding their child and guiding internet and smartphone usage habits.

This year, the province will also hold an "Internet and Smartphone Overdependence Residential Healing Camp" for female middle school students in the province from August 24 to September 4 at the National Youth Internet Dream Village located in Muju, Jeollabuk-do.

For more details, visit the Gyeonggi Youth Counseling and Welfare Center website (www.hi1318.or.kr) or the Youth Safety Net Chaeum website (www.청소년안전망채움.com). For inquiries, contact the Gyeonggi Youth Counseling and Welfare Center at 031-248-1318, extensions 200 to 206.

Lee Moon-gyo, Director of Youth Affairs at the province, stated, "The trend of internet and smartphone overdependence at younger ages is emerging as a new social issue," and added, "We will do our best to prevent and heal internet and smartphone overdependence among youth in the province."