Goyang Leads the Way in Fostering Responsible Digital Culture Among Teenagers

Emotional and Relationship Programs at 42 Schools This Year
Digital Culture Education to Launch in 2026

Goyang Special City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Donghwan) announced on October 21 that it will implement digital culture education starting in 2026 to help teenagers use digital culture responsibly and develop self-regulation skills.

Aerial view of Goyang Special City Hall. Provided by Goyang Special City.

As digital culture, including artificial intelligence (AI), social networking services (SNS), and online games, has become an essential part of teenagers' daily lives, the city plans to gradually introduce education programs aimed at fostering healthy digital habits and building positive peer relationships.

In 2025, the city allocated a budget of 170 million won to the "Bright School Culture Initiative," expanding a previously contest-based program, which was limited to select classes, to now support all first-year classes in local middle schools starting this year.

This measure is intended to help first-year middle school students-who are at an emotionally sensitive and rapidly changing stage-adapt smoothly to school life. The program was implemented in 327 classes across 42 middle and special schools in the city, and it has been credited with making a substantial contribution to students' emotional stability and the formation of positive peer relationships.

Building on these results, the city plans to newly incorporate digital culture education into the "Bright School Culture Initiative" in 2026, supporting teenagers in using digital devices in a balanced way and practicing healthy digital lifestyles.

The main components include digital literacy education, programs to develop healthy habits in using SNS and games, and activities to strengthen self-regulation skills. The goal is to move beyond emotional and relationship support to enhance teenagers' overall life skills for the digital age.

A city official stated, "Digital culture, including AI and SNS, is an unavoidable and important trend in teenagers' lives, but improper use can hinder learning and emotional development. We will continue to work with schools, the local community, and parents to help teenagers establish a balanced digital culture."

The city also plans to continuously discover and expand educational programs that encompass both emotional and relational recovery and digital competency, thereby creating an environment where teenagers can grow into healthy leaders of the future society.

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