The Dysfunctional Aspects of Social Media Reaching Their Limits An incident in which a teenager, suffering from malicious comments and bullying on social media, made an extreme choice, deeply shocked Korean society. This incident not only highlighted the psychological impact of social media on individuals but also exposed the issue of negligence on the part of platform operators. Social media, which has become a part of modern human life, is a powerful tool that drives freedom of expression and the democratization of information, yet it is also a major cause of social harm. How should we handle this tool? Recently, debates surrounding social media regulation have been heating up overseas. The Guardian, a British newspaper, argued in an editorial titled 'Social media on trial: Tech giants move fast, but society is struggling to catch up' that the responsibilities of Big Tech companies must be strictly regulated, pointing to data privacy breaches, the spread of fake news, and the deterioration of user mental health as key problems. The Guardian specifically emphasized, "Tech companies have neglected their social responsibilities under the motto 'move fast and break things'," adding, "Now society is catching up with them and beginning to hold them accountable." On the other hand, The Economist, in a commentary titled 'The Paradox of Technological Innovation and Regulation: Why the Free Development of Social Media is Important,' warned against the adverse effects of regulation, emphasizing that the free development of social media is a key factor enabling technological innovation. The publication cautioned, "Excessive regulation can stifle the ecosystem of innovation and, as a result, lead to the counterproductive effect of limiting freedom of expression," proposing solutions through market mechanisms and self-regulation. While both perspectives present compelling arguments, a balanced solution is needed in the digital policy environment facing Korean society. First, there are valid points in the calls to hold Big Tech companies accountable. Social media platforms play a crucial role in facilitating information dissemination, yet they can also cause severe social harm in the process. The spread of fake news has emerged as a serious global problem, and particularly when false information is widely disseminated during election periods, it can even affect the very foundation of democracy. According to research from MIT in the United States, false news spreads six times faster than true news, and its speed is even greater in political issues. Thus, the problem of fake news is not merely a personal matter but a critical issue that threatens the entire social and political structure. Furthermore, data privacy issues are also serious. Many social media companies operate with a structure that generates enormous profits by utilizing user data, and there have been reported cases of data collection without user consent or misuse of such data. The Guardian pointed out, "Strong regulation is needed to ensure social media platforms do not betray user trust." Indeed, the European Union implemented the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2018, imposing strict data management obligations on Big Tech companies and allowing for fines of up to 4% of global revenue for violations. In Korea, personal data leakage issues have also been consistently raised, and the Personal Information Protection Commission has conducted ongoing investigations and sanctions against large IT companies. The negative impact of social media on mental health is also an issue that cannot be overlooked. Particularly in Korea, content that promotes psychological pressure and self-deprecation among adolescents is emerging as a significant problem. According to a 2025 survey by the Korea Youth Counseling and Welfare Institute, the percentage of adolescents experiencing appearance complexes, relative deprivation, and depression after using social media is increasing. In particular, stress from appearance shaming and malicious comments is severely detrimental to the formation of adolescents' self-esteem. The World Health Organization (WHO) also warned in a 2024 report that excessive use of social media is correlated with adolescent depression and anxiety disorders. Thus, user mental health issues are emerging as an urgent social challenge that needs to be addressed. Regulation vs. Autonomy: The Debate Over Big Tech's Responsibility On the other hand, the adverse effects that could result from excessive social media regulation must also be considered. The Economist warned, "The free development of social media is a prerequisite for technological innovation, and excessive regulation can infringe upon freedom of expression." The publication specifically pointed out that "regulation can favor existing large corporations, raising barriers to market entry and consequently hindering the growth of innovative startups." There are also arguments that Big Tech comp
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