Police Take Action at Study Cafes: "Is This a Game or Gambling?"

Guro Police’s Youth Crime Prevention Initiative
Expands Nationwide to 50 Study Cafe Locations

Efforts to prevent cyber gambling and drug crimes have been launched utilizing study cafes frequently visited by teenagers.

On July 2, the Seoul Guro Police Station announced that it had partnered with Jaksim Study Cafe to conduct a public awareness campaign aimed at preventing cyber gambling and drug crimes among teenagers. The campaign was designed to effectively deliver crime prevention messages by making use of study spaces that many teenagers use as part of their daily routine.

Seoul Guro Police Station partnered with Jaksim Study Cafe to conduct a public interest campaign aimed at preventing cyber gambling and drug crimes among teenagers. Image generated by ChatGPT

In particular, this initiative is significant in that an idea from a local police station has been expanded nationwide beyond its jurisdiction. The Seoul Guro Police Station agreed to broadcast promotional videos for the prevention of cyber gambling and eradication of drug crimes among teenagers through the kiosks and digital information displays (DID) at Jaksim Study Cafe. This campaign was expanded not only throughout the jurisdiction of Guro-gu but also to 50 major locations across the country. By utilizing study spaces where teenagers frequently spend time, instead of at school or home, as hubs for crime prevention, the effectiveness of both promotion and prevention has been greatly enhanced.

Starting from June 15, Jaksim’s official social networking service (SNS) also hosted an interactive quiz event to help teenagers and citizens easily understand the dangers of cyber gambling and drug crimes.

The quiz was designed to help participants easily grasp the dangers and potential penalties of cyber gambling by asking questions such as whether 'betting on the outcome of sports games and receiving money' is simply a form of entertainment, or whether minors can be punished for such activities.

A crime prevention video targeting youth cyber gambling and drug offenses, prepared in collaboration with Jaksim Study Cafe, is being broadcast on the study cafe kiosks. Seoul Guro Police Station Photo by Seoul Guro Police Station

The police noted that, given the rapid spread of cyber gambling and drug crimes among teenagers with high online accessibility, preventive activities tailored to their daily routines are necessary. The campaign was designed so that messages can be repeatedly delivered through kiosks and other means without requiring additional manpower.

The police emphasized that this campaign, which links offline spaces frequently visited by teenagers with online platforms, is a model example of cooperation between the public and private sectors to enhance the accessibility of crime prevention messages. It is expected to be highly effective, as it not only raises awareness among teenagers who use study cafes but also among parents and the general public regarding the risks of such crimes.

An official from the Seoul Guro Police Station stated, "Cyber gambling and drug crimes among teenagers cause significant harm not only to individuals but to society as a whole, making prevention more important than ever. We will continue to expand public-private partnerships and continuously promote a variety of preventive activities so that teenagers can grow up in a safe environment."

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