온라인게임 이용시간 제한의 합리적 개선

Online game time-outs are a typical example of regulation which is not related to the content of games. According to the Constitutional Court of Korea, the introduction of this regulation is based on the need to prevent and treat online game addiction, since the increasing popularity of online games in the era of the internet has led to some serious social issues including the excessive use of games or the addiction thereto by minors. There are numerous criticisms, however, over the validity of the shutdown system in Korea. First, the regulation blocks the access by minors to online games even for games that are categorized as age-appropriate for minors. Second, the enforcement of the regulation based on legislation deprives the service providers of their autonomy. Third, there are doubts about whether the regulation is valid in terms of serving its intended purpose, that is, the prevention of addictive use of online games by juveniles. Experts point out that a legislative examination is necessary to validate whether a regulation of such nature can be a cure for the issue it is purported to address and whether or not the regulation should continue to be enforced in the country. It would be more appropriate to consider abolishing the system in due respect for the autonomy of adolescents and a more valid and informed alternative should be sought based on general social consensus should any real problems arise.