# Son-in-law Shouts at Grandmother Over Toddler's Screen Time in Korea

- URL: https://hallyu-brief.vercel.app/en/news/grandmother-childcare-screen-time-dispute-korea-257534
- Published: 2026-10-18T09:43:35.679Z
- Publisher: Hallyu Brief

> A Korean son-in-law reportedly yelled at his mother-in-law after she let their 18-month-old watch YouTube and eat snacks while caring for the child.

## Key points

1. The grandmother cared for the child 12 hours a day and was paid 1.2 million won monthly.
2. The post's author said the grandmother cried and left the house after the argument.
3. Online commenters were largely critical of the son-in-law.

## What happened?

A Korean grandmother in her 60s was caring for her 18-month-old grandchild from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. while the parents worked, according to a post on an online community on October 17. The son-in-law reportedly paid her 1.2 million won per month for the childcare.

The author, identified as A, said her husband shouted at her mother for breaking his childcare rules. He had asked more than once that the child not watch YouTube or be given snacks. A said the grandmother cried and left the house after the argument.

## Why did the rules clash with reality?

A said that keeping an active 18-month-old entertained all day without any videos or snacks was realistically difficult for one caregiver. The family had previously said the grandmother was grateful for the support, and the couple said they could work with peace of mind thanks to her help.

## How did people react?

Many commenters criticized the son-in-law, saying paying someone does not justify overworking them, and suggesting he try caring for a child all day himself. Others said they understood parents who do not want toddlers watching screens.

## What does research say about toddlers and screens?

A 2024 Australian study in JAMA Pediatrics that analyzed 220 children aged 12 to 36 months found that more screen time was linked to fewer adult words heard, fewer child vocalizations, and fewer back-and-forth conversations. A 2023 Japanese study found that children with longer screen time at age one had higher risk of delays in communication and problem-solving at ages two and four.

## For international fans

The story reflects a common tension in Korean families, where grandparents often provide daily childcare while parents work long hours. Childcare arrangements and the question of screen time are frequent topics of debate online.

## FAQ

### Did the grandmother receive payment for childcare?

According to the post, the son-in-law paid her 1.2 million won per month for looking after the child.

### What did the research find about toddlers and screen time?

A 2024 Australian study linked longer screen time to fewer conversations with children aged 12 to 36 months. A 2023 Japanese study linked screen use at age one to higher risk of communication and problem-solving delays.

## Sources

- [문화일보](https://www.munhwa.com/article/11624205)

_Written and translated with AI from official announcements and Korean media reports. If something is wrong, please let us know._