Smartphone over-dependence among youth and young children worsened last year compared to the previous year, a government survey showed. Meanwhile, digital literacy levels among vulnerable groups and web accessibility have improved annually over the past five years.
The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) on Monday released key indicators related to digital inclusion policies, covering digital information gaps, web accessibility and smartphone over-dependence.
The survey found that the overall smartphone over-dependence risk ratio fell to 22.7% last year, down 0.2 percentage points from 22.9% the previous year. The ratio, which combines potential risk and high-risk groups, has declined for five consecutive years after peaking at 24.2% in 2021.
However, the over-dependence risk groups among youth and young children grew from the previous year when broken down by age.
The over-dependence risk group ratio reached 43.0% for youth (ages 10–19) and 26.0% for young children (ages 3–9) last year. The youth segment, which has the highest risk group ratio among all age groups, has seen the figure rise every year since 2019, when it stood at 30.2%.
The increase is attributed to changes in the digital environment, including the spread of short-form content, diversification of platforms and the expansion of generative AI services.
"The survey confirmed that key indicators reflecting our society's digital inclusiveness continue to improve," Hong Sung-wan, director of information and communications policy at MSIT, said. "We will do our best to build a healthy, digitally inclusive society, centered on the Digital Inclusion Act that took effect in January this year."
In response, MSIT plans to implement policies this year including digital detox programs targeting high-risk youth and expanding outreach counseling by Smart Shelter Center counselors to schools and other locations.
Meanwhile, the digital literacy level of vulnerable groups — including people with disabilities, the elderly, low-income households and farming and fishing communities — reached 77.9% of the general population last year. That was up 0.4 percentage points from the previous year. The indicator has risen for five consecutive years since 2021.
To further strengthen digital capabilities, MSIT plans to provide AI and digital education to all citizens this year, centered on AI Digital Learning Centers expanding to 69 locations nationwide.
The average web accessibility score also rose 3.7 points to 70.4 last year, continuing an annual upward trend since 2021. The indicator measures whether websites comply with accessibility guidelines, specifically the Korean Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, a national standard.
By industry, the finance and insurance sector scored highest at 79.0 points, while wholesale and retail trade scored lowest at 65.7 points.