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Teen Internet, Smartphone Addiction Declines in South Korea

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The number of South Korean teenagers addicted to the internet and smartphones decreased by over 30,000 from the previous year, with 15.76% now considered at risk.
  • The survey, conducted by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, involved over 1.3 million students and parents, tracking media usage habits.
  • Support services, including counseling and therapy referrals, are available for at-risk youth, with specialized healing camps offered for intensive cases.

The number of South Korean teenagers struggling with internet and smartphone addiction has fallen by more than 30,000 compared to last year, according to a recent survey. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family's "2026 Youth Media Usage Habit Diagnosis Survey" found that 15.76% of surveyed youth, totaling 183,209 individuals, are now considered at risk of overdependence.

The number of internet and smartphone addiction risk group youth was 183,209 (15.76%), a decrease of 30,034 (1.51%p) from 213,243 (17.27%) last year.

— Ministry of Gender Equality and FamilyReporting the findings of the '2026 Youth Media Usage Habit Diagnosis Survey'.

This year's investigation, which included over 1.3 million students and parents from elementary to high school, revealed a decrease from the previous year's 17.27% risk rate. The survey, conducted from April 1 to May 8, aims to identify and support youth facing challenges with digital media. The "at-risk group" encompasses both "high-risk users" experiencing significant daily life disruptions and withdrawal symptoms, and "cautionary users" showing milder but increasing usage and fixation.

Among the findings, 66,031 teenagers were identified as having a dual risk of both internet and smartphone overdependence, a decrease from the previous year's 78,943. Male teenagers accounted for a larger portion of the at-risk group, with 99,724 compared to 83,485 female teenagers. Middle school students showed the highest rate of overdependence at 17.04%, followed closely by high school students at 16.66% and elementary students at 13.24%.

The 'at-risk group' includes the high-risk user group and the cautionary user group.

— Ministry of Gender Equality and FamilyDefining the categories of youth identified in the media overdependence survey.

The Ministry offers various support programs for these adolescents, including individual and group counseling. Further psychological assessments can lead to referrals to treatment centers for conditions like depression or ADHD. For those requiring intensive intervention, residential healing camps provide a media-free environment with professional counseling and alternative activities.

The high-risk user group refers to individuals who show severe impairment in daily life due to internet and smartphone use, experiencing withdrawal symptoms, and requiring professional help.

— Ministry of Gender Equality and FamilyExplaining the criteria for the most severe category of digital addiction.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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