Seoul (TDI): South Korea has passed a bill banning the use of mobile phones and other smart devices in school classrooms across the country. The bill has been passed to tackle rising concerns over screen addiction among young children and teenagers.
The bill, widely backed across party lines, is set to come into force in March 2026 academic year. Lawmakers justified the bill by citing alarming data: roughly 37% of middle and high school students report that social media disrupts their daily lives, while 22% experience anxiety when unable to access these platforms.
South Korea’s status as one of the most digitally connected countries in the world, with virtually universal smartphone ownership, fuels these concerns.
Cho Jung‑hun, a lawmaker from the opposition People Power Party and key sponsor of the bill, voiced urgency over the issue in parliament: “Our kids, their eyes are red every morning. They are on Instagram until 2 or 3 am.”
By formalizing the informal restrictions already in place at many schools, the legislation aims to provide uniformity and stronger enforcement. Under the law, mobile devices will remain prohibited during lessons, though exceptions will be granted for students with disabilities, educational use, or emergency situations.
Read More: Australia Adds YouTube to Under-16 Social Media Ban
The ban has gathered mixed reactions. The Korean Federation of Teachers’ Associations (KFTA), a conservative educators’ group, welcomed the law, saying the bill provides solid ground to combat classroom disruptions.
However, the Korean Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union has held off formal support, raising concerns that the ban could infringe on students’ rights to free communication and healthy social interaction.
Critics argue that focus should be on addressing deeper systemic pressures, like South Korea’s competitive school ecosystem and its high-stakes Suneung university entrance exam, rather than solely targeting use of mobile phones.
Students themselves have voiced skepticism. One high schooler noted that phone use is often their main avenue for social connection amid grueling academic workloads, and that simply removing devices does not teach healthier usage habits.
As the ban draws closer, schools across the country will need to prepare for its implementation while balancing concerns around rights, mental health, and educational outcomes.
The Diplomatic Insight is a digital and print magazine focusing on diplomacy, defense, and development publishing since 2009.
