Last updated on October 24, 2025
Yes. There is no legal restriction in South Korea that prohibits the sale of smartwatches to children under 12. However, devices must comply with safety and privacy regulations.
Tech Meets Tots: A Legal Look at Smartwatches for Kids
In South Korea, where technology is woven into daily life like silk in a hanbok, it’s no surprise that even children are part of the digital wave. Smartwatches designed for kids—often featuring GPS tracking, messaging, and fitness monitoring—have become popular among parents seeking safety and connectivity. But can these devices legally be sold to children under 12?
The answer is yes. South Korean law does not prohibit the sale of smartwatches to minors. Retailers and manufacturers are free to market and sell these devices to children, provided they meet the country’s stringent standards for consumer electronics and data protection.
Regulations That Shape the Market
While there’s no age-based ban, smartwatches—like all telecommunications devices—must comply with the Telecommunications Business Act, overseen by the Korea Communications Commission (KCC). This law ensures that devices used for communication are safe, secure, and do not infringe on user rights. For children’s smartwatches, this means manufacturers must pay close attention to data privacy, location tracking, and parental controls.
The Act defines a “user” broadly, allowing anyone who enters into a service contract to access telecommunications services. It also mandates that service providers cannot refuse service without just cause, which includes age discrimination unless explicitly justified. This legal framework supports the sale of smartwatches to children, as long as the devices are used responsibly and within regulatory bounds.
Consumer Protection and Parental Oversight
South Korea’s Electronic Commerce Consumer Protection Act also plays a role. It requires clear labeling, transparent advertising, and safeguards against misleading claims—especially important when marketing to families. Sellers must disclose product capabilities, limitations, and any associated service fees.
Parents are typically the purchasers and account holders for children’s smartwatches, which means they bear responsibility for managing usage and ensuring compliance with terms of service. Many devices come with built-in parental controls, allowing guardians to monitor calls, messages, and location data.
Privacy in the Spotlight
One area of growing concern is data privacy. Children’s devices often collect sensitive information, from GPS coordinates to voice recordings. Under the Personal Information Protection Act, companies must obtain consent before collecting data from minors, and must ensure that data is stored securely and used only for stated purposes.
This has led to increased scrutiny of smartwatch apps and platforms. In 2025, the KCC issued updated guidelines for child-focused tech, emphasizing transparency and parental consent. These guidelines don’t ban sales but do require companies to be upfront about how data is handled.
See more on South Korea
Sources
Telecommunications Business Act – Korea Communications Commission
https://eng.kcc.go.kr/download.do?fileNm=TELECOMMUNICATIONSBUSINESSACT.pdf
2025-06-12
Electronic Commerce Consumer Protection Act Enforcement Decree
https://law.go.kr/%eb%b2%95%eb%a0%b9/%ec%a0%84%ec%9e%90%ec%83%81%ea%b1%b0%eb%9e%98%eb%93%b1%ec%97%90%ec%84%9c%ec%9d%98%ec%86%8c%eb%b9%84%ec%9e%90%eb%b3%b4%ed%98%b8%ec%97%90%ea%b4%80%ed%95%9c%eb%b2%95%eb%a5%a0%ec%8b%9c%ed%96%89%eb%a0%b9
2025-02-14