KID ADDICTS: South Korea is widening efforts to prevent Web and digital addiction in school-age children and preschoolers. Starting next year, children from ages 3 to 5 will be taught to avoid overusing digital gadgets and the Internet.

SMARTPHONE OVERLOAD: South Korea already provides taxpayer-funded counselors for those who cannot control their online gaming or other Internet use. But the emergence of the smartphone as a mainstream, must-have device even for children is changing the government's focus.

MILLIONS OF JUNKIES: The government estimates 2.55 million people are addicted to smartphones, using the devices for 8 hours a day or more.