How Can We Help Our Children Keep a Healthy Distance from Smartphones?

Songpa-gu Launches In-Class Smartphone Overdependence Prevention Program
Targeting 52 Sixth-Grade Classes in Elementary Schools from April to July
Two Sessions Per Class to Foster Healthy Digital Habits

#A sixth-grade classroom at an elementary school. Students are seriously discussing the issue of digital overdependence with their friends while reviewing their own "personal media usage rules." This is a scene from the "Mobile Smartphone Overdependence Prevention Education" program operated by Songpa-gu.

Songpa-gu (District Mayor Seo Kangseok) will run a smartphone overdependence prevention education program for sixth-grade elementary school students in the district until July 11.

According to the "2023 Smartphone Overdependence Survey" by the Ministry of Science and ICT, 40.1% of teenagers nationwide aged 10 to 19 are classified as being at risk of overdependence.

In response, the district has prepared this program to help children and teenagers, who are familiar with digital environments, develop self-regulation skills and a sense of digital ethics.

The education is conducted in cooperation with the Gwangjin Municipal Internet Addiction Prevention Counseling Center. A professional instructor visits the classroom and conducts two sessions (totaling 80 minutes).

The detailed program includes: ▲ issues and prevention methods related to excessive digital media use ▲ an introduction to AI and digital ethics concepts and how to utilize technology ▲ creating "personal digital media usage rules."

In particular, this program moves away from a lecture-based approach and helps students reflect on their digital usage habits by sharing their experiences and thoughts with one another.

The district expects that this program will go beyond simply conveying information, and will provide practical help for teenagers to develop self-control and foster a healthy digital culture.

Seo Kangseok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, said, "We will continue to support teenagers growing up in a digital environment so that they can develop self-regulation habits and use technology wisely."