1. Introduction

In modern society, family structures are becoming increasingly diverse. Despite changing perceptions of marriage and family forms, single parent households are still not fully accepted as a legitimate family type in South Korea. As of 2023, under the Single-Parent Family Support Act, 214,537 low-income single-parent families and 517,853 individuals were registered as recipients of government support (Statistics Korea, 2024). The number of single parent households raising children has been steadily increasing, driven by various sociocultural factors: growing acceptance of diverse family forms, changing social attitudes toward single parent households, greater complexity in the causes of single motherhood, evolving values regarding the acceptance of single-mother identities, amendments to family law, and expanded economic support for single-parent families (Park & Ko, 2017).

Since the mid-2000s, policy directions have shifted from prioritizing adoption to supporting childrearing by single parent households. Consequently, support for prenatal and postnatal care through basic residential facilities has expanded, along-side the establishment of additional welfare facilities aimed at supporting single parent households. The major types of facilities available include single-mother and child residential centers, shared homes for single-mother families, and shelters for single-parent families (Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, 2025).

However, according to statistics from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, there are currently only 23 residential facilities and 4 counseling centers operating in the city (Seoul Metropolitan Government, 2025), which is insufficient considering there are 3,384 single parent households and 860 single fathers residing in Seoul (Seoul Metropolitan Government, 2024). Furthermore, single parent households living in facilities, separated from their families of origin, face increased vulnerabilities, as they must independently manage all aspects of childcare and daily life without fa-milial support (Gwon et al., 2019).

Meanwhile, the Single-Parent Family Support Act provides childcare allowances to single-parent households, including single parent households, but the level of support remains significantly lower than the actual costs of raising a child (Lee, 2013). Moreover, the eligibility threshold is set at only 52% of the median income, leaving many single parent households—particularly those engaged in precarious, low-wage employment—in a difficult position where they are forced to choose between re-maining among the working poor or depending entirely on public assistance (Lee, 2013).

Addressing these challenges is essential not only for the welfare of individual families but also for the broader goal of achieving greater social sustainability. En-suring the health, well-being, and social inclusion of single parent households and their children is directly aligned with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

The primary objective of this study is to design and develop a web-based plat-form to bridge the information accessibility gap faced by single parent households. In particular, the Korea Population, Health and Welfare Association’s 2022 report, ‘The Third Survey on the Status and Needs of Child-Rearing Single parent households’, highlighted critical issues in information accessibility and reliability, and emphasized the need for a personalized "push service" linked to national support systems (KoPHWA, 2018). Accordingly, this study aims to identify key unmet needs through a review of existing literature and propose a practical digital intervention. By de-veloping an AI-powered web service, the project seeks to enhance single parent households’ access to reliable childcare information, welfare policies, and commu-nity support systems.

Although the project does not establish or test explicit hypotheses due to its developmental nature, it proceeds under the fundamental assumption that providing customized information through digital technology will contribute to improving the social inclusion and well-being of single parent households.

2. Literature Review

Research on single parent households during the 1990s shifted from a traditional focus on adoption to studies centered on pregnancy and childbirth among those who chose to raise their children (Shin, 2017). In the 2000s, research further expanded to explore the relationships between single parent households and their families, as well as their emotional well-being (Shin, 2017). As the number of single parent house-holds raising children increased, studies began to address issues such as the right to parental custody and educational rights for adolescent single parent households, along with investigations into the status of policy support (Shin, 2017). Given the rapid changes in the social environment surrounding single parent households, this review focuses primarily on studies conducted after 2010. The following sections summarize the key findings from previous research on single parent households.

Life Cycle of Single parent households

Single parent households are placed on a continuum of choices from the moment they recognize their pregnancy. It is common for them to face these choices alone. According to research, single parent households experience various temptations and considerable fear and difficulty during the decision-making processes regarding abortion and adoption (Seong et al., 2018). Even after deciding to give birth, they face further challenges such as financial difficulties, housing instability, and social stigma, often compounded by a lack of accessible information (Seong et al., 2018). Research comparing parenting efficacy between married mothers and single parent households has also shown that single parent households exhibit greater anxiety about their parental roles and lower levels of parenting efficacy (Shin & Lee, 2016).

Throughout the processes of pregnancy, childbirth, and childrearing, single parent households must independently resolve complex issues, including redefining relationships with their families and the child's biological father, resolving legal registration of their child, overcoming social stigma, achieving financial independ-ence, securing stable housing, and addressing economic hardships (Lee & Um, 2013). Given that single parent households frequently encounter discrimination and various negative experiences across these life stages—economically, psychologically, and socially (Kim et al., 2012; Lee & Um, 2013; Seong et al., 2018; Shin & Lee, 2016)—comprehensive support is necessary to promote their independence, improve childrearing environments, change societal perceptions, and reform social welfare systems.

Economic Conditions, Self-Reliance, and Policy Support for Single parent households

Economic hardship is one of the most significant challenges faced by families headed by single parent households. Financial conditions are closely linked to the ability of single parent households to achieve self-reliance and to adequately raise their children (Seong et al., 2018). Even when employment is secured, low wage levels and the lack of flexible working conditions to accommodate childcare re-sponsibilities make stable participation in the workforce difficult, often leading di-rectly to poverty (Seong et al., 2018). According to previous studies, early-stage single-mother families often lack surrounding support networks, highlighting the need for long-term, structured support plans that facilitate gradual labor market in-tegration (Seong et al., 2018). In addition, establishing accessible support networks and creating an environment conducive to information utilization are critical elements for promoting self-sufficiency (Seong et al., 2018; Lee, Jeong, & You, 2023).

Meanwhile, although various programs and policies have been implemented to assist single parent households and low-income single-parent families, several studies have pointed out that these initiatives often fail to adequately reflect the specific needs of single-mother families (Kim et al., 2012; Yi, 2012; Kim, 2013). Although a wide range of formal services exists (Ministry of Gender Equality and Family & Korea Lottery Commission, 2024), they frequently do not translate into practical support for single parent households, and difficulties in accessing relevant infor-mation remain widespread (KoPHWA, 2018; Lee et al., 2023).

Qualitative research on the experiences of single parent households receiving support shows that, in many cases, single parent households have proactively sought out public and private support resources independently, without assistance from the child’s father, their families of origin, or extended relatives (Lee et al., 2023). However, challenges persist, including a lack of sufficient, accurate information available online and disparities in individual information utilization capabilities, which hinder access to additional resources (Lee et al., 2023).

In the Korean context, child support payments following divorce are primarily determined through mutual agreement between parents rather than through strong legal enforcement (Kang et al., 2022). This can place greater financial pressure on single mothers, reinforcing the importance of structured welfare policies and in-formation access in promoting economic self-reliance.

In summary, single parent households are simultaneously faced with economic vulnerabilities and barriers to accessing essential information, creating a dual burden in pursuing self-reliance and raising their children. Addressing these challenges ne-cessitates the establishment of tailored support systems and the strengthening of information delivery infrastructure.

Relationships with Family and Surrounding Communities

In Korean society, where the ideology of the "traditional family" remains dominant, choosing to live as a single parent household remains a difficult path (Lee & Um, 2013; Seong et al., 2018). Single parent households are often estranged from their families of origin (Lee & Um, 2013; Seong et al., 2018). Even basic emotional support from family members during pregnancy and childbirth cannot be taken for granted for these women, and societal support tends to be even more limited. Alt-hough societal acceptance of diverse family forms has increased in recent years (Park & Ko, 2017), prejudices and negative perceptions toward single-mother families persist (Kim et al., 2012; Kim, 2013; Lee & Um, 2013). According to studies based on interviews with single parent households, many continue to experience discrim-inatory attitudes and negative perceptions from staff at hospitals, local government offices, and childcare centers (Kim et al., 2012; Kim 2013; Seong et al., 2018).

Based on the findings of the literature review, single-mother families face a complex set of challenges, including difficulties in achieving economic self-reliance, limited access to essential information, and a lack of robust social support systems. Although a variety of welfare services have been established, numerous studies consistently highlight the significant barriers that single parent households encounter in recognizing and utilizing these services effectively (Kim et al., 2012; Yi, 2012; Kim, 2013; KoPHWA, 2018; Lee et al., 2023). Moreover, single parent households continue to navigate the demanding reality of balancing parenting and daily life while confronting persistent social stigma and discriminatory attitudes (Kim et al., 2012; Kim, 2013; Lee & Um, 2013; Park & Ko, 2017; Seong et al., 2018).

In response to these challenges, this study aims to develop a web-based platform designed to enhance information accessibility and promote more effective support linkages for single parent households. The platform is structured around three core development goals: providing reliable welfare and childcare information, offering personalized information access, and strengthening record-keeping functions nec-essary for childrearing. The ultimate objective is to offer practical support that em-powers single parent households to build independent and sustainable lives.

Table 1 summarizes the gaps identified through the literature review and the corresponding strategies proposed for the web development project.

3. Methods

To develop a practical and accessible digital solution for single parent households, we utilized a modern full-stack web development architecture composed of React.js, Next.js, Node.js, MongoDB, AWS S3, and OpenAI GPT-4 API. These technologies were selected for their scalability, performance, and suitability for delivering both static and dynamic content in a user-friendly interface.

Frontend Development

The user interface was built using React.js, a widely-used JavaScript library for building responsive and interactive web applications. React allows for component-based design, making the user experience modular, maintainable, and adaptable to future updates. To enhance server-side rendering and optimize performance for both users and search engines, we integrated Next.js, a React framework that supports hybrid static and dynamic content generation.

Backend and Server-Side Architecture

The server-side logic and API endpoints were implemented using Node.js, a JavaScript runtime known for its non-blocking, event-driven architecture. Node.js was chosen for its efficiency in handling asynchronous tasks and real-time user interactions.

Database and Data Storage

For data storage and user-generated content management (e.g., childcare diaries, health records), we employed MongoDB, a flexible NoSQL database that stores data in JSON-like documents. This structure allows for fast and scalable development, particularly useful for storing diverse and evolving data formats. Additionally, Amazon Web Services (AWS) S3 was used to store and manage static assets and uploaded files. AWS S3 provides secure, scalable storage and integrates well with other services.

AI-Powered Information Support

To implement the AI chatbot feature and provide personalized information, we utilized the GPT-4 language model via the OpenAI API. Initially, a persona-based system message format in JSON was used to guide the chatbot’s behavior, but its performance in terms of contextual depth and response quality was limited. To enhance the chatbot’s effectiveness, we adopted a two-fold strategy: first, a curated dataset of sample user inquiries and expert-guided responses was constructed to inform prompt design; second, a domain-specific prompt engineering method was implemented, enabling the system to dynamically tailor prompts based on categorized user inputs (e.g., emotional support or policy guidance). This hybrid approach allowed for more context-aware, empathetic, and accurate interactions with users, aligning the chatbot more closely with the platform’s support objectives.

Rationale for Technology Selection

These technologies were chosen based on their open-source availability, community support, and proven effectiveness in delivering secure, scalable, and user-friendly web services. React and Next.js streamline frontend development, while Node.js and MongoDB enable rapid backend implementation. AWS S3 ensures reliable file handling, and GPT-4 allows for intelligent, adaptive dialogue. Together, this stack facilitates the creation of a web platform that not only meets the immediate informational needs of single parent households but is also extensible for future enhancements such as peer-support communities and mobile accessibility.

4. Results

The web-based platform developed in this study successfully implemented a set of core functions designed to address the multifaceted needs of single parent households. Drawing upon verified data from government and public institutions, the platform was structured to improve information accessibility, provide personalized guidance, support parenting activities, and offer preliminary emotional support.

Centralized Access to Welfare Resources

The platform features an integrated information system that consolidates reliable welfare and support resources from official institutions. By organizing scattered policy information into a cohesive and user-friendly structure, the platform mitigates the issue of information fragmentation. This allows users to efficiently navigate and understand available government programs based on their individual circumstances and needs.

Enhanced Chatbot with Context-Aware AI Response Strategies

An AI-powered chatbot was incorporated to enhance user engagement and en-sure quick, accurate responses to user queries. The chatbot leverages the GPT-4 model to deliver personalized, natural-language guidance in real time. In addition to delivering factual information about welfare programs, the chatbot is designed to offer basic emotional support and suggest relevant services for users experiencing psychological or emotional distress. This function addresses the isolation and stigma often experienced by single parent households and promotes greater autonomy in accessing support services.

While initial attempts to fine-tune the chatbot using persona-based prompts via OpenAI’s system message in JSON format offered limited results in terms of depth and contextual accuracy, alternative methods were explored to improve the quality of responses.

First, a curated conversation dataset was constructed by collecting realistic example dialogues representing common user concerns and matching them with expert-informed responses. These pairs were then used to design prompt templates that reflect how actual support professionals might respond in various scenarios.

Second, a domain-specific prompt engineering approach was implemented. The system first classifies the user’s input into categories such as emotional support, policy inquiry, or technical help. Based on this classification, the chatbot dynami-cally selects a tailored system prompt, optimized for each category. This allowed the AI to respond in a more context-aware and purpose-appropriate manner.

Together, these methods contributed to significantly more relevant, empathetic, and practical interactions, improving the chatbot’s effectiveness and perceived re-liability.

Parenting Diary and Child Health Management Tools

A parenting diary and health record system was introduced, enabling users to document and monitor their children's developmental milestones and health condi-tions. The system includes features such as vaccination scheduling, health check-up reminders, and customizable logs for daily childcare activities. These tools support consistent caregiving and help users maintain a structured overview of their child’s well-being.

In addition, the recorded data is analyzed by the AI system to provide person-alized feedback on the child’s developmental progress and health status. By identi-fying potential concerns early or offering age-appropriate parenting suggestions, the platform helps caregivers make more informed decisions. This feedback function expands the role of the platform from a simple record-keeping tool to a practical aid in child development and health management.

Features for Location-Based Services and Automated Policy Updates

A map-based search function for nearby hospitals, counseling centers, and welfare institutions was conceptualized during the development phase, but it has not yet been implemented. This feature remains part of the future development roadmap. Its aim is to improve accessibility to local services through a geolocation-based in-terface. While its practical implementation is pending, the inclusion of such a func-tion reflects the broader goal of building a comprehensive and location-sensitive support system for single parent households. Further research and testing will be required to ensure its effectiveness and relevance.

Additionally, the development team initially intended to implement a system capable of automatically detecting and updating changes in official welfare policies or government programs—an especially important feature given the frequent modi-fications in public support schemes.

However, due to technical limitations and resource constraints, such automation has not yet been realized. Specifically, the absence of standardized, ma-chine-readable formats for government policy data, combined with the complexity of parsing unstructured web-based information, posed significant challenges. Although AI-driven parsing techniques were explored as a potential solution, the accuracy and reliability of the extracted data were insufficient for dependable implementation, ultimately leading the team to forgo automation at this stage. As it stands, information updates must still be conducted manually, which could affect the timeliness and completeness of the provided data. Future iterations of the platform will need to address this gap to maintain the reliability and currency of its informational content.

Collectively, these features reflect a user-centered approach to web development aimed at addressing not only the practical needs of single parent households but also the social and emotional challenges they face. By aligning technical functionality with evidence-based needs, the platform offers a holistic tool for improving par-enting support, emotional well-being, and access to welfare services.

Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The development of this platform is also closely linked to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocated by the international community (Table 2). Specifically, SDG 3.7 aims to ensure universal access to family planning, sexual and reproductive health services, and information by 2030 (United Nations, 2025), and the platform contributes to this goal by providing parenting and health-related information. Furthermore, in line with SDG 3.8, which promotes universal health coverage and access to essential health services (United Nations, 2025), the platform is designed to offer user-friendly information on vaccination schedules and health check-ups.

In support of SDG 5.1, which seeks to eliminate discrimination against women and girls (United Nations, 2025), the platform focuses on providing non-discriminatory access and empowerment for single parent households, who are a socially margin-alized group. It also aligns with SDG 5.b, which emphasizes the use of information and communications technology (ICT) to promote women's empowerment (United Nations, 2025), embedding this principle at the core of its design.

Moreover, to fulfill SDG 10.2 and SDG 10.3, which call for social and economic inclusion and the reduction of inequalities (United Nations, 2025), the platform emphasizes equitable access to high-quality welfare and support information for all single parent households, regardless of their economic status or background. Beyond simply offering information, the platform seeks to expand life opportunities for single parent households. It is expected to address existing disparities in information accessibility based on income or social standing and contribute to building a more inclusive social structure.

5. Discussion and Conclusions

This study developed a web-based platform to address the multidimensional challenges faced by single parent households in South Korea. Building upon prior research, the platform was designed to respond to persistent gaps such as the frag-mentation of welfare information, limited access to emotional support, and practical difficulties in navigating existing support systems. Previous studies have shown that despite the formal existence of various welfare programs, these services are often inaccessible or underutilized due to insufficient information delivery, weak social support, and low reliability (Kim et al., 2012; Yi, 2012; Kim, 2013; KoPHWA, 2018; Lee et al., 2023). These issues are compounded by experiences of social stigma and discrimination (Kim et al., 2012; Kim, 2013; Lee & Um, 2013; Park & Ko, 2017; Seong et al., 2018).

To mitigate these issues, the platform was developed around three core objec-tives: (1) providing reliable and verified welfare information from official sources, (2) supporting caregiving tasks through tools such as parenting diaries and health records, and (3) enhancing access to guidance via an AI-powered chatbot. This integration of functional tools reflects a user-centered design that acknowledges the complexity of daily life for single parent households and aims to empower them in both practical and emotional dimensions.

A particularly critical challenge encountered during development involved the attempt to implement an automated system for detecting and updating changes in welfare-related policies. This functionality is especially significant for single parent households, who are highly dependent on timely and accurate information to access essential services. However, the lack of standardized, machine-readable government data formats, along with the difficulty of parsing unstructured policy text from of-ficial websites, posed substantial technical obstacles. Although AI-powered text ex-traction and parsing techniques were explored, they proved insufficiently accurate and consistent for practical deployment.

These limitations reveal broader structural problems in the digital architecture of public policy communication. For vulnerable populations such as single parent households, delays or errors in accessing updated information can directly affect eligibility, benefits received, and daily decision-making. Therefore, future research should not only focus on technical refinement but also advocate for systemic im-provements in public data accessibility. These may include establishing open, structured, and interoperable data standards, mandating machine-readable formats for welfare policies, and fostering collaboration between government agencies and civic tech developers. Such initiatives are essential to build digital tools that are both scalable and socially responsive.

In addition to addressing immediate user needs, the platform was intentionally designed to contribute to broader social development goals. Its features support progress toward gender equity, health access, and the reduction of social inequali-ties—areas directly aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Rather than functioning solely as a service portal, the platform positions itself as a model for inclusive digital welfare infrastructures that prioritize equity and empowerment through intentional technical design.

Nonetheless, the platform has several limitations. While the AI chatbot showed improved performance through domain-specific prompt engineering, it still lacks the depth and nuance of human counselors. As users begin to rely more heavily on AI-generated information, ensuring accuracy, relevance, and emotional appropri-ateness will require the implementation of robust monitoring and feedback mecha-nisms. Furthermore, the platform has yet to be tested with a large and diverse user base. Future iterations must incorporate real-world usage feedback to refine its functions and improve usability across demographic and regional contexts.

Enhancing mobile accessibility remains a critical area for further development. For many single parent households, mobile devices represent the primary point of access to digital resources. Thus, optimizing the user interface for mobile use—particularly in low-connectivity or resource-constrained environments—will be essential for ensuring equitable access.

In conclusion, this study presents a practical and socially responsive digital so-lution to systemic welfare information gaps. By integrating AI tools, verified re-sources, and user-friendly caregiving functions, the platform addresses not only the technical challenges of information delivery but also the social realities of single parent households. It offers a promising foundation for future civic technologies and digital welfare systems designed to reduce inequality and promote inclusive well-being.

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