(image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, May 10 (Korea Bizwire) — The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) announced yesterday the development of a smartphone application that will foster the prevention of smartphone addiction in youth.
One function of the application locks the screen of the smartphone when a young user is walking while using the device. The service will initiate today.
Upon lockdown, the “cyber safe zone” application requires that the user stop walking to press the ‘unlock’ key. Users will, however, be able to make emergency calls to registered numbers (such as parents) if necessary, even when the device is locked.
According to the Ministry of Interior and Safety, traffic accidents attributed to smartphone use increased 2.2-fold during the last five years.
Accidents concerning pedestrians increased 1.6 times and 40.1 percent of all accidents involved youth younger than 20 years of age.
The KCC hopes that the new application will prove to be effective in preventing accidents, especially during the after-school hours between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., when accidents are most prevalent for young people.
More details about the application can be found on www.사이버안심존.kr or via the commission’s customer service center at 1566-8274.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
