[Inside Chodong] Time for a 'Korean-Style Generation Protection Law'

Australia has become the first country in the world to legally mandate a ban on children and adolescents accessing social networking services (SNS). This is a form of "generation protection law," reflecting a determination to shield Generation Alpha (those born after 2010) from the so-called "algorithm hell" that begins the moment they create an SNS account after getting a smartphone.

Ten days into implementation, criticism that the measure is excessive persists, but so does anticipation. Despite local reports that more people are bypassing the ban using virtual private networks (VPNs) or turning to other social media platforms not covered by the regulation, the world is closely watching Australia's experiment.

There is overwhelming analysis that SNS has negative effects on adolescents, such as lowering self-esteem, worsening body image, and increasing suicidal impulses. In Korea, stabbings between students following arguments on SNS, illegal gambling, and violence against parents are all realities. Statistics show that out of 1,187 cases of sexual exploitation of children and adolescents last year, 960 occurred through chat applications and SNS.

Given that Korea ranks among the highest in the world for smartphone penetration across all age groups, it is clear we are late to address this issue. The result of being absorbed in our titles as an artificial intelligence powerhouse and world leader in digital infrastructure is that we have failed to establish step-by-step safety nets.

I find it difficult to agree with such strong regulations as a "shutdown" level ban. It would be unrealistic for us to impose fines of up to 48 billion won (approximately 36 million US dollars) on SNS platforms that fail to block accounts for users under 16, as Australia does. While parents may welcome such measures, considering that children may seek out unregulated spaces, it is more desirable to prepare safeguards tailored to "design" rather than outright prohibition.

The recently published report by the Korean Educational Development Institute (KEDI), "Discussion on Restrictions on Youth Smartphone and Social Media Use and Educational Implications," points to the direction we should take. Before regulating smartphone use, we must also provide education that enables adolescents to independently and responsibly use digital information.

Although it may sound like a declarative statement, the priority should be to help adolescents develop the ability to recognize and judge risks in the digital environment on their own. If necessary, curricula should include courses to foster information discernment, online ethics, and self-control. Teachers must also be able to guide students in new approaches to digital information.

We should also discuss measures such as restricting sign-ups through enhanced age verification on each platform, requiring parental consent, adjusting algorithms to minimize exposure of minors, limiting nighttime access, and implementing automatic rest systems. While these may appear to be regulations targeting SNS platforms, the situation can no longer be left solely to individuals, families, or schools.

For the sake of generations after Generation Alpha, revising relevant laws is an urgent task. A review of the "Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection" reveals only vague language stating that "information service providers must strive to ensure that inappropriate content is not provided to children."

Despite no preparations being made, the National Assembly has amended the "Elementary and Secondary Education Act" to restrict the use of digital devices, including smartphones, during class starting in March next year. The law kindly shifts responsibility to each school, instructing them to freely set their own standards and enforcement methods according to school rules.

Under the current system, it is inevitable that this will escalate into student rights issues and intergenerational conflict. While making platforms clearly responsible, we need a design that interweaves law, education, and technological safeguards to avoid driving adolescents into the shadows. Though late, it is time for families, schools, businesses, and the government to prepare a "Korean-style generation protection law" together.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.