Youth Social Media Regulation Debated Amid Concerns Over Digital Sex Crimes

As the issue of excessive social media (SNS) use among youth grows globally, an increasing number of countries are moving to restrict it. Following this trend, discussions in South Korea are also intensifying regarding the establishment of regulations to manage youth SNS usage and prevent digital sex crimes.

A survey conducted by the Korea Press Foundation in early last year among approximately 2,600 students from 4th grade elementary to 3rd grade high school revealed that teenagers use online video platforms for an average of 200.6 minutes (about 3.3 hours) per day. The survey showed middle school students spent 233.7 minutes, high school students 226.2 minutes, and elementary students 143.6 minutes. The most frequently used apps by teenagers, in order, were YouTube (1 hour 38 minutes daily average), Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and KakaoTalk.

According to the 2025 Digital Sex Crime Victim Support Report, 17,629 cases of digital sex crime occurred in South Korea last year, a 4.7% increase from the previous year. Among these, 'synthetic/edited' offenses saw a 16.8% rise, with about 1,600 cases last year, and 91.2% of the victims were in their teens and twenties.

Discussions on regulating youth SNS use are also underway within the South Korean political sphere, with related bills being proposed. However, a complete ban, similar to some overseas cases, is unlikely. Various regulatory approaches, such as age-tiered access, may be considered. This movement is in line with the case in March where a California state court in Los Angeles ruled that Meta and Google were responsible for youth SNS addiction, with the jury ordering the companies to pay $6 million (approximately 9 billion won) in damages to the plaintiffs.

Concerns are also raised that excessive immersion in SNS reduces teenagers' engagement in outdoor activities. Some question the effectiveness of regulating SNS through law, while others argue that excessive regulation could infringe upon the right to communicate. SNS has become a core part of youth culture alongside technological advancements, offering positive aspects like expanded opportunities for communication and creation, but it also casts a dark shadow of addiction and criminal threats. SNS companies are now facing a new phase of state-level regulatory movements and various lawsuits. To address the side effects of youth SNS use, responsible changes and efforts from companies are needed alongside government deliberation.