Cap proposed for cell phone use by young

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Cap proposed for cell phone use by young

A contract that would limit the amount of time that youth could spend on mobile phones may be introduced in the first half of this year.
The government yesterday held a meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Kwon O-kyu, to discuss several consumer policy measures. Among the topics was applying a cap on the minutes that young cell phone holders can use each month.
Under the proposal, mobile service providers would design separate contracts for the young. When the minors purchase cell phones, they would have to agree to a monthly cap on their service minutes under a set price. If they want to extend their minutes, they would be required to have permission from their parents. The service providers would contact parents to verify their consent.
The contracts would include a clause that prohibits the young users’ access to mobile adult content.
Young users have been ringing up their cell phone bills, amid the sea of online games and video files, which cost a bundle to view and download from mobile phones.
In February of last year, a middle school student in Iksan, North Jeolla province, committed suicide after worrying about his cell phone bill, which amounted to 3.7 million won ($3,900) for the previous month.
The student was found to have used a great deal of mobile content. His parents filed a lawsuit against KT Corp., the parent company of mobile service provider KTF Co., for neglecting to limit adult content for young cell phone holders, which would be a violation of youth protection laws.


By Yoo Jee-ho Staff Writer [jeeho@joongang.co.kr]
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