As information that aids and abets suicide continues to spread online, the government has teamed up with the public and private sectors to tackle the issue of blocking suicide-inducing information. The Ministry of Health and Welfare, in collaboration with the Korea Suicide Prevention Foundation, has announced the establishment of guidelines to strengthen the response to suicide-inducing information, and the launch of the citizen participation monitoring group “Watchers” starting in March.
Suicide-inducing information includes all online content that promotes or induces suicide, such as recruitment for suicide partners, specific method instructions, and the trade of harmful items. The Ministry of Welfare has clearly classified such information types, developing guidelines including a response manual that can be used as a reference by each institution. These guidelines have been finalized through discussions in the 4th Suicidal Information Prevention Council, with the participation of related ministries and private organizations.
In particular, the procedure for urgent rescue is also enhanced, which allows for cooperation with the police, fire department, and information communication service providers when high-risk individuals are identified. Deletion and blocking occur through review procedures, and in emergency situations, a structured response system initiates on-site dispatch, counseling agency connection, and treatment support.
Meanwhile, the citizen monitoring group “Watchers,” which voluntarily searches for and reports suicide-inducing information, has been in operation since 2014, with 897 people participating in activities last year. This year, anyone over the age of 19 can participate in activities through prior education on the “Media Suicide Information Monitoring System (SIMS),” and volunteer activity hours will also be recognized.
Hwang Tae-yeon, President of the Korea Suicide Prevention Foundation, said, “The indiscriminate distribution of suicide-inducing information online poses a great risk of promoting copycat suicides,” and emphasized, “The active participation of citizens in monitoring is of utmost importance.”
Lee Hyung-hoon, Director of Mental Health Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated, “The government and private sectors will work together to quickly block suicide-inducing information and strive to protect citizens’ lives,” adding, “We will do our best to spread a culture of life respect.”
Experts point out that for blocking suicide-inducing information online to be effective, it requires more than just government-led response; the entire society needs to take an active interest and participate in this culture. Rapidly capturing suicide risk signals and connecting them to a safety net is crucial at this time.
Guidelines and related information can be found on the websites of the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Suicide Prevention Foundation.