Self-Defense Product Sales Surge Amid Anxiety Over School Commutes
'Safety Whistle' Sales Jump Sevenfold
Anxiety Spreads Despite Safety Bells and Increased Patrols
Recently, a series of attempted abductions targeting elementary school students across the country has sparked growing anxiety among parents, with many now believing that "even the area in front of schools is no longer safe." While police and administrative authorities are working to strengthen safety measures and reassure parents, many families are taking matters into their own hands by equipping their children with self-defense items to prepare for any possible emergencies.
Self-Defense Product Sales Surge 2.5 Times
According to 11st on September 14, the total transaction amount for major self-defense products from September 2 to 11-following the news of the attempted abduction of an elementary school student in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul-rose by 2.5 times compared to the same period the previous month. Sales of personal safety alarms increased by 141%, and self-defense sprays surged by 153%. The transaction amount for other self-defense items, including expandable batons and locks, also grew by 143%.
On another open market platform, daily sales of "safety whistles" skyrocketed to more than seven times the weekday average immediately after reports of the attempted abduction. SSG.com reported that sales in the self-defense product category increased by 18% over the same period compared to the previous month. Top-selling items in this category included button-activated electronic whistles and self-defense stun guns.
Search Volume and App Downloads Soar
On the 12th, a student at Yangnam Elementary School in Gwangjin District, Seoul, is learning how to use the elementary safety bell. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
This trend is also evident in online search activity. According to Naver Shopping Trends, searches for self-defense products increased by 32% during the same period. Notably, after September 9-when reports of abduction attempts began to surface not only in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, but also in Gwangmyeong, Daegu, and other regions nationwide-the number of searches rose sharply. By age group, parents in their 40s and 30s accounted for the most searches, and men made up 69% of the total.
There is also growing interest on online communities in location-tracking devices such as AirTags and SmartTags, which can help parents monitor the whereabouts of children who do not have mobile phones. Demand for location-tracking applications that can be easily downloaded and used on smartphones is also surging. One child protection app, which has surpassed 50 million downloads, is especially popular among parents because it even allows them to monitor surrounding sounds.
The "safety bell," which emits a piercing alarm when a button is pressed in an emergency, is another popular self-defense item that parents are attaching to their children. The Seoul Metropolitan Government, which previously distributed the "elementary safety bell" only to first and second graders, has announced that starting next year, it will be distributed to all elementary school students.
"Schools Are No Longer Safe Zones"... Anxiety Spreads
On the 12th, police officers from Dongchon District Police Station and the Mobile Patrol Unit were conducting patrol activities on the way home for elementary school students in front of an elementary school in Daegu. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
The recent surge in demand for self-defense items stems from a series of incidents this month, beginning with an attempted abduction near an elementary school in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, and followed by additional attempted abductions or enticements of minors in Gwanak-gu (Seoul), Gwangmyeong (Gyeonggi Province), Jeju, and Daegu. Most of these incidents have occurred near schools during arrival and dismissal times, further heightening parents' fears.
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education has urged schools to ensure that younger students or those commuting alone are accompanied by guardians. Schools are also conducting abduction prevention education. The police have announced plans to deploy officers intensively around major school routes at 6,183 elementary schools nationwide during arrival and dismissal hours. A total of 55,186 personnel will be mobilized, including local police officers from precincts and substations, mobile patrol units, traffic police, and school police officers (SPOs).
The surge in demand for self-defense products is seen as a reflection of parents' heightened anxiety. Experts note that while self-defense tools can be helpful in emergencies, they are not a fundamental solution. They emphasize that, rather than placing excessive anxiety on parents, it is essential to build a multilayered safety network through cooperation among the local community, schools, and the police.
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