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Mobile Game Regulation in South Korea: A Case Study of the Shutdown Law

  • Yoonmo SangEmail author
  • Sora Park
  • Hogeun Seo
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Part of the Mobile Communication in Asia: Local Insights, Global Implications book series (MCALIGI)

Abstract

This study critically examines the regulatory framework and the socio-cultural implications of South Korea’s Shutdown Law that was enacted in 2011. The Shutdown Law prohibits online game companies from providing services to youth under the age of 16 between midnight and 6 a.m. Controversy surrounding the constitutionality and effectiveness of the law has continued, and the Korean government has considered applying the same regulatory measure to mobile games. This study employs Lessig’s (Code: Version 2.0. Basic Books, New York, 2006) four modalities of regulation to critically evaluate the regulatory framework and the socio-cultural implications of the Shutdown Law. Through the analysis this study presents broader policy implications with regard to mobile game regulation.

Keywords

Mobile game Online gaming addiction Regulation Shutdown law Youth 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2017

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Department of Strategic, Legal and Management CommunicationHoward UniversityWashington, DCUSA
  2. 2.News & Media Research CentreUniversity of CanberraBruceAustralia
  3. 3.Department of Radio-Television-FilmUniversity of Texas at AustinAustinUSA

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