Pets offered to help Internet addicts

A girl plays with a pet dog in this file photo. The government now provides animal companions to help Internet addicts improve their interaction with living beings. (Photo : The Korea Times)

The government is providing animal companions to help Internet addicts recover from their addiction.

The Korea Internet Addiction Center (KIAC) under the National Information Society Agency (NIA) is giving pets to those diagnosed with an Internet addiction so they can learn to communicate and connect with living beings.

The Ministry of Public Administration and Security, with which the NIA is affiliated, began the project in May to help fight the problem.

“Anyone who is an Internet addict or who believe they have the symptoms of becoming one can apply to the center for a pet. There are no restrictions on age or the number of applicants. Children, adults and even the elderly can apply,” said a KIAC official.

“We give out the pets for free and also provide 200,000 won for food and vaccinations. There are choices of animals other than dogs or cats such as rabbits and hedgehogs.”

Those receiving the pets must pledge that they will not abuse or abandon them and will have to hand in a monthly journal to the center about their relationship with the pet.

The officials at the center will visit the recipient’s house once a month to check on how they’re taking care of the pet and call them once a week for a weekly report.

“There was a report released in the United States on the positive effect of animal assisted therapy on people with physical or mental problems. We began this project to help Internet or smartphone addicts overcome their addiction through interaction with the animals,” said Seo Bo-kyung, senior researcher and counselor at the KIAC.

“Animals help addicts turn their attention from the Internet and focus on the living being in front of them. They can build relationships with the animals through communication, exchange of emotions, and by taking care of them. Such practices on forming and maintaining relationships will also help their human relationships as addicts usually have problems interacting with people as well.”

Applications for adopting the animals are currently available at the KIAC website or by phone on 1599-0075. Applicants have to speak with counselors before being given a pet. <The Korea Times/Yun Suh-young>

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