Social media bans alone won't protect children, Korea's youth agency chief says

Kim Jin-sang, president of the Korea Youth Work Agency (KYWA), said that blanket age-based bans on social media are not sufficient to protect children in the digital and AI era, emphasizing the need for stronger safeguards, platform accountability, and helping young people develop risk assessment and responsible decision-making skills. His remarks come as Australia became the first country to require major social media platforms to prevent users under 16 from creating accounts.

As governments around the world move to restrict children’s access to social media and smartphones, the head of Korea’s leading youth affairs agency says blanket age-based bans should not be the centerpiece of youth protection in the digital and artificial intelligence AI era. Kim Jin-sang, who became president of the Korea Youth Work Agency KYWA last month, said stronger safeguards and greater platform accountability are essential. But he believes the more fundamental solution is helping young people manage risks and make responsible choices for themselves. “Restrictions alone cannot solve young people’s digital problems,” Kim told The Korea Times in a recent interview. “We must equip them with the ability to assess information and risks for themselves, manage their digital use, critically assess algorithms and online content and act responsibly.” His remarks come amid intensifying global debate over how to protect young children online. Last year, Australia became the first country to require major social media platforms to prevent users under 16 from creating or mai