Gov't weighs tighter social media restrictions for minors, targeting addictive features
The government is considering expanding restrictions on minors’ social media use beyond age limits for account registration to include regulations on recommendation algorithms and platform features to curb excessive use. However, questions remain over how the proposed measures can effectively protect minors from excessive social media use while safeguarding their freedom of expression and access…
The Korean government is contemplating the implementation of stricter regulations on social media platforms used by minors. These proposed measures aim to target addictive features that could contribute to excessive use among young users. The government is considering extending the restrictions beyond the current age limit for account registration to encompass recommendations algorithms and other platform functions.
This policy shift raises concerns about the potential impact on minors' freedom of expression and their access to valuable information. According to the Korea Media and Communications Commission (KMCC), they are contemplating amendments to the Information and Communications Network Act. These amendments would prohibit children under the age of 14 from creating social media accounts and require platform operators to verify the age of their users.
The initial proposal for these measures was made during a presidential policy briefing in July. The proposed regulations specifically target features such as personalized recommendation algorithms and infinite scrolling, which could potentially encourage excessive social media consumption. The aim is to regulate platform design to protect minors from the potential harms associated with excessive use, while still ensuring that they have the opportunity to engage with information and express themselves online.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
