South Korea has passed a new law banning mobile phones and smart devices during class hours in schools.
The legislation, backed by 115 lawmakers out of 163 present, takes effect in March 2026.
It aims to curb rising smartphone addiction among students and restore focus in classrooms.
“Children these days just can’t seem to put their smartphones down,” said Choi Eun-young, a mother in Seoul. “Even when they’re chatting with friends, they quickly go back to their phones, and naturally, this interferes with learning.”
A Nation Struggling with Screen Dependency
According to a 2024 government survey, nearly 25% of South Korea’s 51 million citizens are heavily dependent on their phones.
Among teenagers aged 10 to 19, the figure jumps to 43%. Over a third admit they struggle to control their time on social media.
South Korea joins countries like France, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, and China in restricting phone use in schools.
But unlike most, South Korea has made the ban legally binding nationwide.
The law prohibits device use during lessons but allows teachers to extend restrictions across school premises.
Exceptions exist for students with disabilities, emergencies, or educational use.
“There is significant proof that smartphone addiction has extremely harmful effects on students’ brain development and emotional growth,” said MP Cho Jung-hun, who sponsored the bill.
Mixed Reactions from Teachers and Students
The Korean Federation of Teachers’ Association welcomed the law, citing classroom disruptions and even cases of students lashing out when phones were confiscated.
Nearly 70% of teachers surveyed reported phone-related problems.
But the Korean Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union withheld support, warning the law may infringe on students’ rights.
“Students have no place to meet friends outside of cram schools except through KakaoTalk or Instagram,” said Cho Young-sun, a high school teacher.
Students are also sceptical.
“Banning phones during class hours doesn’t achieve much,” said one 18-year-old Seo Min-joon, according to an online news report. “Students would still be on their phones while commuting or lying in bed at night. There has been no real education about healthy use, just confiscation.”
Beyond the Ban: A Deeper Problem
South Korea’s education system is famously intense.
The college entrance exam, Suneung, dominates students’ lives. Many attend late-night tutoring and barely sleep.
“Rather than simply taking phones away, the first step should be teaching students what they can do without them,” said a 13-year-old student.
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