Seoul: Seven in 10 South Koreans said they support the introduction of a policy restricting social media use by teenagers, a poll showed Tuesday, amid growing concerns over the excessive use of such platforms.
According to Yonhap News Agency, in the survey conducted on 1,000 respondents aged 14 to 58, 70.7 percent said they support such a policy, while 29.3 percent said they oppose it. The poll, conducted by the Korea Press Foundation last month, reveals a significant divide in opinion, particularly among teens themselves.
Among teen respondents, who accounted for one-fifth of the total, 59 percent expressed opposition to the plan, while 41 percent said they support it. This demographic split highlights the complexity of implementing such a policy, as those directly affected by it are largely against the restrictions.
When asked about the appropriate age to impose such a restriction, 16.8 percent of all respondents chose 15, followed by 14.9 percent who selected 18, and 13.1 percent who opted for 11 and younger. These varied opinions on age thresholds reflect the differing perspectives on when teenagers can responsibly manage social media use.
A majority of respondents, however, expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of introducing such a policy, citing potential loopholes. There is a concern that adolescent users might circumvent restrictions by using other people's accounts or migrating to new, unrestricted platforms.
In light of these challenges, 59.8 percent of respondents believe that platforms should focus on creating a safer online environment rather than imposing user restrictions. This sentiment suggests a preference for proactive measures by social media companies to address safety and usage concerns.
In July, the country's media watchdog proposed the idea of imposing social media restrictions on children aged 14 and younger, recognizing the global issue of excessive social media use among teenagers.