South Korea planning to block pornography and swear words on teenagers' smartphones

The South Korean government has laid out plans to install software on teenagers’ smartphones that will block "'illegal [and] harmful information." The Ministry Of Gender Equality And Family believes that installing the software will block swear words and slang — as well as prevent cyber-bullying — on social and messaging networks such as KaKao Talk, Facebook, and Twitter. The governmental body will also require a compulsory filtering service for mobile carriers that will block "harmful information" that includes pornography and nudity.

The latest plans from the South Korean government come not long after the "internet dangers" education program. That initiative sought to teach young children about the problems of internet addiction, with the government encouraging them to perform "positive" tasks — like listening to music — instead of staying online or playing video games for extended periods of time. Constant access to high speed internet may sound like a blessing, but the measures that South Korea is taking serve to highlight the social problems that such high penetration can also bring.

Hyunhu Jang contributed to this article.

• SourceNewsis (KR)
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