The government decided Friday to provide young people with computer software that either blocks obscene material transmitted via e-mail or automatically forwards illegal spam mail to an Internet site where netizens can report them to the government.

The decision to introduce a set of comprehensive measures, aimed at protecting youths from a harmful environment, was reached at a meeting of related ministers, including Justice Minister Kang Kum-sil.

For its part, the Education and Human Resources Development Ministry plans to strengthen its crackdown on facilities deemed harmful to youths within areas around schools that are designated protected zones.