South Korea's youth face alarming rise in smartphone addiction and mental health risks

A new report has highlighted growing concerns over smartphone addiction among South Korean youths. Nearly half of adolescents aged 10 to 19 now fall into the at-risk category. The findings also reveal troubling trends in mental health and online behaviour. In 2024, the country had 7.41 million children aged 9 to 24. Among them, 43% of those between 10 and 19 showed signs of smartphone dependency. Middle school students were the most affected, with 47.6% classified as at risk.

Adolescents spent an average of 27.3 hours per week online. Instant messaging platforms ranked as their most-used internet service. Additionally, 26.5% of students admitted to watching adult video content during the year.

The report also found that 41.3% of middle and high schoolers experienced regular distress. Sleep deprivation was another issue, with children aged 9 to 18 averaging just 7 hours and 24 minutes of sleep on weekdays. Self-harm has remained the leading cause of death among Korean youths since 2011. The data underscores the urgent need for interventions targeting smartphone overuse and mental health support. With nearly half of middle schoolers at risk, authorities face growing pressure to address these challenges. The trends also highlight the broader impact of digital habits on adolescent well-being.