New services block adult content

Korea’s mobile service providers, the Information Ministry and civic groups have decided to take stricter measures to block adult mobile content from young users, including offering a wireless Internet service that disables access to the services. The Information Ministry hosted a meeting Saturday afternoon to review the status of mobile adult content distribution and seek methods to create a “sound mobile culture” for youth. The meeting was attended by Information Minister Roh Jun-hyong, SK Telecom President Kim Shin-bae, KTF President Cho Young-chu and LG Telecom President Nam Yong, plus heads of local parents’ associations. According to the Ministry, about 38 percent of the 4.8 million teenage users use cell phones that are registered in adults’ names ― mostly those of their parents. Recent surveys also showed that 6.5 percent of youth that use wireless Internet admitted to having accessed adult content. Mr. Roh complained that mobile phone service providers do not provide sufficient safety measures for young users. The ministry noted that sales of mobile adult content reached 59.5 billion won ($62.8 million) in 2004, but rose 27 percent to 75.7 billion won last year. The three service providers said they would offer wireless Internet services that block access to adult content ― SK Telecom launches its service today. They will also note in bills what content the user accessed ― until now, adult content was lumped as “data content,” making it difficult for parents to tell whether their children had accessed the services. by Wohn Dong-hee