Punishment and Detection Difficult for Non-Face-to-Face Orders
"Legislative Discussion and Responsible Actions by Companies Needed"
Recently, delivery platforms have been identified as hotbeds of juvenile delinquency. It is reported that minors often receive alcohol or cigarettes, which they cannot purchase directly, through delivery platforms in a non-face-to-face manner. In fact, on an internet community, a post by a woman stated, “When I confronted my middle school son for spending too much of his allowance on delivery apps, he said he bought cigarettes through delivery.”
Most delivery platforms announce that “if the delivered items include alcohol or cigarettes, the user’s ID must be verified,” but this rule is rarely enforced in practice. Mr. A, who works in the delivery industry, told Yonhap News, “Since non-face-to-face delivery has become common and there is no one monitoring, I often see cases where the delivery person overlooks the fact that the user ordering alcohol or cigarettes appears to be a minor,” adding, “There seems to be a mentality that even if I don’t deliver it, someone else will eventually do it.”
The appearance of delivery riders. The photo is not directly related to the article content. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Moreover, even if alcohol or cigarettes are delivered to minors, detection and criminal punishment are difficult. Current law stipulates that ▲ alcohol and cigarettes must not be sold or purchased on behalf of minors, and ▲ when selling or distributing such items, the age and identity of the recipient must be verified. However, when orders are placed non-face-to-face after adult verification, it is difficult for both the seller and the delivery person to confirm that the user is a minor. Lee Bok-geun, director of the Youth Health Activity Promotion Foundation, pointed out, “With the increase in dual-income families, many children have their parents’ cards, and adult verification is easy.” A police official said, “It is difficult to hold legal responsibility if the delivery person did not know the orderer of alcohol or cigarettes was a minor, and since most punishments are based on witness reports, detection is also challenging,” adding, “As this is a problem arising from the growth of delivery platforms, related legislative discussions are necessary.”
Experts also diagnosed that as opportunities to access alcohol through delivery platforms have increased recently, the number of adolescents who habitually drink alcohol has also risen compared to the past. Director Lee said, “In the past, youth drinking and smoking were strongly event-driven, such as birthdays or meetings with the opposite sex, but now they can enjoy it anywhere as long as they are not noticed.” He added, “Since those aged 16 or older can obtain a motorbike license, if a minor orders alcohol, another minor friend may deliver it.” Director Lee urged delivery platform companies to make continuous mandatory efforts to educate delivery workers on the necessity of ID checks when delivering alcohol and cigarettes, calling for responsible actions from related companies including liquor companies.
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