Lee: "Discuss Restrictions on Teen Social Media Use Swiftly"

Broadcasting and Media Communications Commission Chair Kim Jong-cheol: "Reviewing phased response measures"
"Past game shutdown system failed... Social consensus is important"
Nine related bills pending in National Assembly... Age and level of restr

President Lee Jaemyung on Nov. 3 urged the government to speed up its review of measures to restrict teenagers’ use of social networking services (SNS). The government said it plans to conclude discussions by the first half of 2027, following public deliberation on restrictions on teenagers’ SNS use.

President Lee Jaemyung speaks at a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House on Nov. 3, 2026. Yonhap News

At a Cabinet meeting he chaired at the Blue House that day, President Lee asked Kim Jong-cheol, chair of the Broadcasting Media and Communications Commission, “Isn’t restricting younger users’ SNS use currently a subject of debate in Europe, Australia and Canada? How far have our discussions progressed?” Kim replied, “There have been past cases in which the game shutdown system was introduced hastily and failed. The most important task is to carefully develop tailored, phased response measures on the basis of broad social consensus.” He added, “We are currently working toward concluding the process in the first half of 2027, after carrying out a certain amount of preparatory work.”

When President Lee asked again whether the government was still at the review and preparation stage, Kim said it was gathering opinions from people across various sectors. He said that nine related bills were pending in the National Assembly and that the government would support legislative discussions while developing measures acceptable to members of society, including teenagers.

President Lee then said he understood that nearly 80% of respondents in a survey supported the need to restrict teenagers’ SNS use. Kim replied, “There is consensus on the need for restrictions themselves,” but added that discussions were still underway on “building consensus on which age groups should be subject to restrictions, to what extent, at what level and by what means.”

The government has previously reviewed overseas regulations concerning teenagers’ excessive use of SNS and gathered opinions from teenagers, parents and experts. In particular, it has considered phased regulatory measures that take into account age-specific characteristics and usage patterns, rather than imposing a blanket ban.

In August 2026, President Lee also emphasized the need to carefully consider age thresholds, the scope of restrictions and specific implementation methods, and to allow for ample public discussion, when he received a briefing on ways to improve the online environment for teenagers’ SNS use.

“The harmful effects seem greater than we think,” President Lee said that day, expressing concern about the adverse effects of teenagers’ SNS use. He again urged Kim to move the related discussions forward swiftly and carefully.

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