South Korea Weighs Phased Social Media Ban for Minors

South Korean officials are discussing a phased plan to restrict social media access for minors to combat addiction and the influence of harmful algorithms. During a July 16 policy briefing at Cheong Wa Dae, Kim Jong-cheol, chairman of the Korea Media and Communications Commission, proposed barring children under 14 from creating social media accounts and limiting addictive AI recommendation designs for teenagers aged 14 to 19.

President Lee Jae Myung emphasized the need for public consensus and further polling to include the perspectives of minors. Kim cautioned against a rushed implementation, citing the failure of the 2011 shutdown law that restricted midnight gaming for minors before its repeal in 2022. Seven bills to revise the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection are currently pending in the National Assembly.

These proposals follow a global shift toward stricter digital regulations. Australia has already banned social media accounts for those under 16, and the European Union plans to present similar legislation after the summer. Additionally, the United Kingdom has announced a ban for children under 16, with regulations expected to take effect in spring 2027 to address mental health harms and addiction.