Gangwon Province to Tackle Internet & Smartphone Addiction in 2026

Gangwon Special Autonomous Province officials convened a ceremony on February 26th to commission educators and counselors for a novel initiative aimed at preventing and addressing internet and smartphone addiction, according to a statement released Friday.

The initiative will deploy eight educators and counselors, all affiliated with the Gangwon Smart Wellness Center, to 18 cities and counties across the province. They will offer preventative education to individuals of all ages – from young children to adults – focusing on the positive and negative impacts of internet and smartphone use, and promoting responsible digital habits. The teams will similarly provide one-on-one counseling to families seeking support for addiction issues.

The Gangwon Smart Wellness Center will oversee the deployment of the educators and counselors, and will also manage a broader range of preventative programs, including in-person counseling, home visits, and collaborative efforts with various organizations. Last year, the center’s preventative education programs reached 21,666 residents, and home visits resulted in reported symptom alleviation for 94% of participating families, according to provincial officials.

“We will strengthen regional cooperation and continue promotional campaigns so that residents can experience a healthy digital culture in their daily lives,” said Lee Ju-heon, head of the Intelligent Information Policy Division at the Gangwon Special Autonomous Province, in a released statement. “We will do our best to establish a correct digital usage culture.”

The launch of this program coincides with a meeting held on February 26th concerning the development of artificial intelligence industries within the province, attended by 14 experts from academia, industry, and government research institutions. The province also recently announced a comprehensive list of changes to its policies and programs for 2026, impacting residents across various sectors.