The authorities of the Republic of Korea are considering the possibility of banning children under 14 from using social media. This was stated by Kim Jong Chul, chairman of the Korea Communications Commission.

“We are considering a plan to restrict children under 14 from creating accounts on social media, as well as to limit the influence of algorithms that encourage excessive use of such platforms among teenagers aged 14 to 19,” Yonhap quoted the commission chairman as saying.

Kim Jong Chul noted that about seven bills concerning minors’ use of social media have been proposed in parliament.

At the same time, the official added that the issue should be approached cautiously, citing the experience of the nighttime online gaming ban for teenagers. In 2011, the Republic of Korea adopted a law that barred persons under 16 from accessing online games from midnight to 6 a.m. In January 2022, this law was repealed because it had a negative impact on the gaming industry and “violated people’s basic rights,” Yonhap notes.