In recent years, facial recognition technology has become a prominent form of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, significantly impacting society. Although this technology offers various benefits, its application faces numerous ethical criticisms. While previous studies have focused on privacy concerns related to facial recognition technology, this study argues that these technical challenges and privacy issues are deeply connected to the broader ethical problem of autonomy, and explores the specific impact of facial recognition technology on individual autonomy. This study argues that facial recognition technology affects personal autonomy in two major ways. Algorithmic bias and data manipulation interfere with personal judgment, undermining autonomy by influencing decision-making processes. Additionally, the erosion of intellectual privacy restricts the freedom to think and explore ideas without external oversight, further weakening individual autonomy. Section 2 explores autonomy as a crucial ethical value in the age of artificial intelligence. Section 3 identifies the specific risks that facial recognition technology poses to individual autonomy. Finally, Section 4 discusses the necessary considerations for balancing the benefits of facial recognition technology with its ethical risks. This approach reevaluates the concept of autonomy in the age of AI and adds new depth to ethical and social discussions thereof.

Numerous quantitative studies have reported an association between smartphone use and declines in well-being. Many previous studies have primarily focused on smartphone usage time, pointing to a negative correlation between longer usage and well-being. However, when analyzing data based on specific applications and actual usage logs rather than self-reported usage time, different results have been observed. Smartphone use involves various types of usage, behaviors, and psychological tendencies, yet research on the relationship between smartphone use and well-being has often overlooked these factors. This has led to excessive generalizations suggesting that smartphone use itself is inherently harmful, raising concerns about its use.

To gain a more precise understanding of the relationship between smartphone use and well-being, this study conducted a questionnaire survey of 549 first- and second-year high school students. In addition to overall smartphone usage time, usage time for LINE and major social media platforms (X [formerly Twitter], Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok) was measured using actual usage log data, which students verified before reporting. Similarly, the number of unlocks, indicating screen activation frequency, was recorded and analyzed. Other variables, including simultaneous smartphone use during study, smartphone dependency, sleep and exercise time, and well-being scores, were also examined.

The analysis found no significant correlation between total smartphone usage time and well-being. A very weak positive correlation was observed between well-being and SNS or LINE usage time. While examining subfactors of well-being, no significant correlation with smartphone usage time was found. Smartphone dependency showed no correlation with well-being overall, but a very weak negative correlation with the disappointment factor. Path analysis suggested that SNS and LINE usage time were directly related to well-being and indirectly related through smartphone dependency, sleep time, and well-being. These findings highlight the importance of considering usage content and intermediary factors rather than treating smartphone use as a singular entity when investigating its relationship with well-being.