Regulating Social ⁣Media Use Among Teenagers: A Double-Edged Sword

As the ⁤number of teenagers​ addicted ‍to social networking services (SNS) like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube⁤ Shorts‍ continues to ⁤rise, a bill to regulate SNS​ use among teenagers has been‍ proposed in the National ‌Assembly‌ of Korea. The proposed SNS shutdown system aims to reduce SNS addiction and related social problems, but its effectiveness and potential impact on teenagers’⁤ freedom of expression have sparked debate.

The Need to Protect Youth Mental Health

The problem​ of SNS addiction among teenagers is becoming increasingly serious, ‌with 40.1% of teenagers in Korea at risk of smartphone over-reliance, ‍according to​ the ‍’2023 Smartphone Over-reliance Survey’ by the Ministry⁤ of Science and ICT and the Korea Intelligence Information Society Agency. This⁢ can lead to problems such as poor eyesight, sleep disorders, and lack of concentration, interfering with academic performance and healthy growth. A global trend towards regulating SNS use‌ among teenagers is underway, ⁢with the US⁣ state⁤ of Florida enacting a law‍ that prohibits children ‍under 14 from creating SNS accounts and ​requires those aged ⁣15-16 to obtain parental permission.

Preventing Violent Crimes Linked to SNS

Teenagers can easily⁢ access harmful⁤ information on⁢ social media and are defenselessly exposed to crimes such as cyber-illegal gambling, drug purchases, and unhealthy content. The ‘Nth Room Case’ in 2022 and the recent ‘deepfake sex crime’ issue highlight the risks of social media. Limiting social media use can⁢ reduce exposure to serious crimes and the⁢ crime rate, according to a paper by the Korea Institute⁢ of Criminology.

Violation of Freedom of‌ Expression and Potential Negative Impact on Mental Health

SNS is a space where teenagers can express themselves ⁤and share their opinions, forming their own identity through communication and ⁢encountering various perspectives. However, the SNS shutdown system ⁣may hinder smooth communication, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation, which can negatively impact‍ mental health. A report by⁤ the Korea Youth ​Policy Institute found that ‍teenagers ​banned from using SNS experience a 30% or more increase in‌ loneliness​ and depression. Instead of limiting SNS usage time, encouraging‍ healthy ​online use ⁣through addiction prevention education may be more effective.

Encouraging ⁤Illegal Methods and Questionable Effectiveness

The effectiveness of SNS regulations is questionable, as teenagers may evade regulations by using their parents’ names or setting ⁢up overseas access through virtual private networks (VPNs). The Game Shutdown System, implemented in 2011 to prevent game addiction ‌among teenagers, was ultimately abolished due to its ineffectiveness. Considering the cost‍ and effectiveness of the regulation, it‍ may be better not to introduce the SNS Shutdown System.

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