The National Assembly is establishing a protective framework for youth using interactive artificial intelligence (AI) services. The aim is to prevent excessive engagement with AI chatbots through measures such as age verification and time restrictions.
On October 1, Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Joo-hee announced plans to propose an amendment to the 'Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection' (Information and Communications Network Act) to safeguard young users of interactive AI services.
The core focus of the amendment is to prevent excessive use of these services by minors. The proposal includes provisions for: user age and identity verification, warnings about excessive use, tracking of usage time, and mechanisms to limit usage methods and times at the request of the minor or their legal representative.
The goal is to ensure that users are aware of how long they have been interacting with AI and to provide protective measures that allow minors or their guardians to adjust usage as needed. Unlike the previous 'Game Shutdown System,' which imposed blanket time restrictions, this amendment emphasizes managing usage based on requests from the user or their legal representative.
The legislative initiative is driven by the rise of generative AI services, particularly companion-type AI chatbots that engage users emotionally. As these services evolve from merely providing information or assistance to fostering friendships and relationships, concerns about minors becoming overly immersed and emotionally dependent have increased. This has led to discussions about the need for mechanisms that allow youth to understand their usage status and for guardians to intervene when necessary.
Kim Na-jung, a legislative researcher at the National Assembly's Legislative Research Service, highlighted in a report published in July titled 'Children and Adolescents Exposed to the Risks of AI Chatbots' that 'there are insufficient safety measures to address the structural risks of AI chatbots,' noting a significant gap in the protection system for minors.
The issue of AI chatbots will also be addressed during the upcoming National Assembly audit. The National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting and Communications Committee has selected Kim Jong-yoon, CEO of Scatter Lab, as a witness for the audit scheduled for October 12 to examine the 'risks associated with AI chatbots.' Scatter Lab operates the platform 'Zeta,' where users interact with AI characters.
During the audit, the National Assembly is expected to investigate the risks of exposure to harmful content from AI chatbots and the measures in place to protect youth. Questions are anticipated regarding management systems and response strategies to prevent excessive use by minors.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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