South Korea will introduce new regulations to curb teenagers' use of mobile phones because mounting bills are becoming a growing headache for many households, an AFP report, quoting government officials, said.
'I think this is the first system in the world aimed at guiding teenagers to use their cell phones responsibly,' Hong Sung-Wan, of the country's telecommunications ministry was quoted by AFP as saying.
The AFP report said starting from early next year, a separate contract will be introduced for teen subscribers.
It will clearly recommend that teenagers and their parents join an existing bill ceiling system under which teenagers cannot spend more than the equivalent of $40 a month, the AFP report said.
The contract will also advise teenagers and their parents on how to prevent the excessive use of services.
'The new regulations are aimed at providing the parents with means to put tabs on their children's use of mobile services and control it,' said Hong.
According to government statistics, more than 4 million of the country's 6 million teenagers have their own mobile phones.
'The number of teenagers who are aged between 13 and 18 and are charged more than 100,000 won ($108) every month is 100,000,' Hong told AFP, adding that favorite services include online games and text messages.