South Korea has approved a nationwide ban on smartphones and other smart devices during school hours. The country joins a global movement restricting children’s phone use to protect learning and health.
The law will take effect in March 2026. Lawmakers from both government and opposition parties supported it. They say it is necessary to reduce smartphone addiction, which researchers increasingly link to harmful effects.
Push from parents and politicians
Backers argue that constant phone use disrupts classes and lowers academic performance. They say children waste valuable time scrolling instead of studying or socialising. Parents worry their children lose focus, friendships, and opportunities for other activities.
Students remain doubtful. They question whether the ban can be enforced and if it addresses the root of addiction.
The bill passed parliament on Wednesday with 115 votes in favour out of 163 members present.
Other nations show examples
Many South Korean schools already limit phones. Finland and France introduced bans for younger children, while Italy, the Netherlands and China extended restrictions nationwide. South Korea now goes further by enshrining the ban in law.
“Kids just cannot put their phones down,” says Choi Eun-young, a mother of a 14-year-old in Seoul.
Worrying rise among teenagers
The addiction goes beyond classrooms. A 2024 government survey revealed nearly a quarter of South Korea’s 51 million people overuse their devices. Among 10 to 19-year-olds, the figure jumps to 43%.
More than a third of teenagers admit they struggle to stop scrolling through videos. Parents fear this eats into learning, friendships, and social skills.
“When children go to school, they should focus on studies and activities,” Ms Choi explains. “But phones keep distracting them.”
Parents also voice concern about cyberbullying, where children exchange harsh insults online.
Lawmakers point to health dangers
Cho Jung-hun, the opposition lawmaker who introduced the bill, says he acted after watching other countries take similar measures. He argues that smartphone addiction damages brain development and emotional health.
The law bans use during class but allows exemptions for education, emergencies and assistive devices for students with disabilities. It also requires schools to teach responsible phone use.
Teachers split on the ban
Educators remain divided. The conservative Korean Federation of Teachers’ Association supports the law, saying it gives schools stronger authority. A survey showed 70% of teachers faced disruptions caused by phones. Some reported aggressive reactions from students, including swearing and even assault.
The Korean Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union has not taken a formal stance. Some members say the law restricts student rights. Critics argue students rely on messaging apps like KakaoTalk to connect with friends outside school and cram academies.
Exam culture still the bigger challenge
Some teachers argue the ban ignores South Korea’s core problem: the extreme pressure of the national college entrance exam, Suneung. The eight-hour test decides university placement, careers, and income.
Students prepare for it from their first school year. A 13-year-old explained he has no time for addiction because tutoring and homework often keep him awake until midnight.
Many young people say education, not punishment, should be the solution. “We should learn how to live without phones,” says 18-year-old Seo Min-joon, who speaks against the ban.
He argues the measure changes little. “Students will still use their phones at night or while commuting,” he says. “There has been no real education on healthy use, only confiscation.”
