South Korea proposes special smartphone to fight teen digital addiction

South Korea's Education Minister, Choi Kyo-jin, announced on September 14 that the government may create a special smartphone just for teenagers. The goal is to help students stay safe online and avoid becoming too dependent on their devices. Minister Choi made the announcement during a meeting at South Korea's National Assembly, the country's main law-making body. He said a dedicated team inside the Education Ministry could lead the effort.

The idea was brought up by Democratic Party representative Kim Young-ho, who urged the government to act on growing concerns from parents. Kim said a teen-focused smartphone should include helpful features for students while limiting the ones that can lead to addiction. He pointed to survey data showing that about 60 percent of second graders already had access to smartphones, and that number jumped to 95.7 percent among sixth graders. He said children are starting to use smartphones at younger and younger ages, which is a big worry for many families.

Kim also shared results from a survey of 52,000 parents. In that survey, 98.1 percent said the government needed to take action, and 99.2 percent supported creating a safer device for kids. Those numbers show how strongly parents feel about the issue. Kim said students, parents, and teachers all need to work together to agree on what kind of device would be best.

Minister Choi agreed that more discussion is needed before any device is made. He said the Education Ministry, the Science Ministry, smartphone makers, and all 16 regional education offices would need to be involved. He also stressed that the wider education community would have to reach an agreement. Choi confirmed he was ready to set up a special department within the ministry to handle the issue.

Teen-focused phones are not a brand-new idea. Companies in the United States already sell devices for children and teens that have parental controls, limited apps, and restrictions on social media and internet use. However, the South Korean plan is different because it would involve the central government, education leaders, and phone manufacturers all working together. If it moves forward, supporters say it could be the world's first smartphone designed specifically for teenagers.