Roughly two out of three Koreans find it difficult to manage the time they spend on digital platforms, according to a new survey.
On June 20, the Addiction Forum released the results from a nationwide survey conducted earlier this month on public attitudes toward digital media overuse. Of those surveyed, 13% said controlling usage was “severely difficult,” while 51.4% said it was “somewhat difficult.” Teenagers had the most trouble, with 89% saying they struggle with social media use, followed by people in their 20s (66%) and 30s (64%).
89% of respondents said teen digital addiction is serious, and 84% said adult addiction is also a concern. Social media was viewed as the most addictive platform (91.2%), followed by gaming (81.2%).
More than half of the respondents said companies aren’t doing enough to fight addiction. When asked about requiring parental consent for teens to use apps or games, 53.6% agreed, while among teens themselves, only 23% supported it and 50% opposed it. Around 77% support stronger age checks for teens.
Most say the government’s top priority should be tighter regulation of platforms and stronger accountability, followed by public education and awareness campaigns. Experts warn that overuse of digital platforms can harm mental health and urge families and communities to promote healthier digital habits.