Elementary Students' Internet and Smartphone Overdependence Worsens... Internet Addiction More Severe

2021 Youth Internet and Smartphone Usage Habit Survey Released
Risk Group for Overdependence Increased by 0.34%... Internet Overdependence Rises for 2 Consecutive Years
Especially, Internet Risk User Group Increased by 13% Compared to Previous Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] As social distancing measures have increased the time spent at home, the number of elementary school students at risk of smartphone and internet overdependence has surged. This is due to the lowering age at which children are exposed to media such as YouTube. With habits of using media like YouTube on tablets or laptops rather than smartphones emerging, the overall tendency for internet overdependence among youth has worsened.

On the 23rd, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced the results of the "2021 Youth Internet and Smartphone Usage Habit Diagnosis Survey," conducted from March 29 to April 30, targeting 1.29 million students nationwide in 4th grade elementary, 1st grade middle, and 1st grade high school. This annual survey, conducted since 2009, serves as basic data to provide healing services for youth overdependent on smartphones.

Youth Increasing Internet and Smartphone Use During Stay-at-Home Life

Since remote classes began in April last year and outdoor activities were restricted due to distancing measures, youth have become more immersed in smartphones and the internet. The survey found that among 1.27 million youth, 228,891 were classified as at risk of overdependence on either the internet or smartphones, a 0.34% increase compared to the previous year. The at-risk group excludes overlapping cases and consists of 'high-risk users' who experience withdrawal symptoms in daily life and 'caution users' whose usage time is increasing and who have difficulty self-regulating.

The age group with the largest increase in overdependence risk was 4th grade elementary students, which rose by 2.28% compared to the previous year, with increases in both boys and girls. The trend of increasing overdependence among elementary students has continued for 4 to 5 years. Conversely, 1st grade high school students showed a decrease in overdependence for both genders, while only male 1st grade middle school students showed an increase.

Kim Seong-byeok, Director of the Youth Protection Environment Division, explained, "The lowering age of media use has continued for several years, starting to increase from elementary school students, peaking in middle school students, and then decreasing in high school students likely due to the influence of college entrance exams."

The age group with the highest number of internet and smartphone overdependence risk cases is middle school students (85,731), followed by high school students (75,880), and elementary students (67,280). Among 4th grade elementary and 1st grade middle school students, boys are more prevalent in the risk group, but among 1st grade high school students, girls are more numerous.

Kim Rae-seon, Head of the Media Addiction Prevention Department at the Korea Youth Counseling and Welfare Institute, explained, "In the case of 1st grade high school girls, their use for social interaction purposes is somewhat higher than that of boys, which appears to cause the gender difference in overdependence risk groups."

[Photo by Seoul National University Hospital]

Increase in Internet Overdependence Risk Group as PC Use Rises Due to Remote Classes

The internet overdependence risk group consists of 183,228 out of 1.27 million youth, with the high-risk user group (16,723), who experience daily life impairments and withdrawal symptoms, increasing by 13% (about 1,900 people) compared to last year.

The smartphone overdependence risk group includes 129,543 out of 1.25 million youth, with the high-risk user group (13,729) decreasing by 1.23% compared to last year. The age group with the most overdependence risk cases is middle school students (85,731), followed by high school students (75,880), and elementary students (67,280).

Kim Seong-byeok, Director of the Youth Protection Environment Division, explained, "The increase in the high-risk user group among the internet overdependence risk group appears to be a phenomenon caused by increased time spent at home and increased internet exposure time through PCs for remote classes."

Customized Support Including Residential Healing Programs and Counseling

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family provides customized services such as counseling, hospital treatment, and residential healing programs through the Korea Youth Counseling and Welfare Institute and Youth Counseling Welfare Centers. Depending on the degree of overdependence, caution users are helped to develop self-regulation skills through group counseling at schools. High-risk users receive individual counseling and additional tests, and if comorbidities such as depression or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are present, they are supported to receive hospital treatment. Parent education is also strengthened to guide media use at home.

For youth who require internet blocking, residential healing services such as the Internet and Smartphone Overdependence Healing Camp (11 nights, 12 days) and Family Healing Camp (2 nights, 3 days) are provided. For youth needing healing during the school term, the National Youth Internet Dream Village (Muju, Jeonbuk) operates integrated healing programs including counseling and experiential activities on an ongoing basis. Non-face-to-face media overdependence healing content will also be expanded and distributed.

Choi Seong-yu, Youth Policy Officer at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, stated, "With the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, guidance on youth media use at home is more important than ever. Our ministry will make policy efforts to timely support professional counseling and healing services to prevent media overdependence damage."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.