South Korea has approved a nationwide law banning smartphones and other smart devices during school hours. The country joins others tightening rules on children’s phone use.
The law will take effect in March 2026. Lawmakers from both major parties supported the bill. They argue it will reduce smartphone addiction, which studies increasingly link to negative effects.
Lawmakers and parents raise concerns
Supporters say smartphones distract students and damage academic performance. They also argue that constant scrolling cuts into study time. Parents worry their children spend more time on social media than with friends or activities.
But scepticism remains. Many students question how the law will be enforced and whether it tackles the root causes of addiction.
The bill passed on Wednesday with 115 votes in favour out of 163 lawmakers present.
Global trend of restrictions
South Korean schools already impose various phone limits. Finland and France restrict use for younger pupils. Italy, the Netherlands and China apply bans across all schools. South Korea now stands out for enshrining such restrictions in national law.
“Kids just can’t put their phones down,” says Choi Eun-young, a Seoul mother of a 14-year-old student.
Teenagers most at risk
Addiction stretches beyond classrooms. A 2024 government survey showed nearly a quarter of South Korea’s 51 million people overuse their phones. Among 10 to 19-year-olds, the number rises to 43%.
More than a third of teens admit they cannot control time spent scrolling through videos. Parents say this blocks learning, friendships, and other important activities.
“When children go to school, they should focus on lessons and friendships,” Ms Choi explains. “But phones interrupt everything, including learning.”
Parents also fear online bullying, where children exchange harsh and hurtful insults.
Politicians highlight health risks
Cho Jung-hun, the opposition lawmaker behind the bill, said he acted after seeing other countries restrict phone use. He points to scientific evidence that smartphone addiction harms brain development and emotional growth.
The law bans phone use during class but lets schools extend restrictions on campus. Exemptions cover educational use, emergencies and assistive devices for students with disabilities. Schools must also promote responsible device use.
Teachers remain divided
Teachers disagree on the law’s value. The conservative Korean Federation of Teachers’ Association welcomed the measure, saying it strengthens classroom control. In a survey, 70% of teachers said smartphones disrupted lessons. Some reported aggressive behaviour from students asked to give up devices.
The Korean Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union has no official stance. Some members fear the law violates students’ rights. Others argue students depend on messaging apps to connect outside school and cram centres.
Exam culture overshadows reforms
Some teachers believe the ban ignores South Korea’s deeper challenge: the pressure of the college entrance exam, Suneung. The eight-hour test determines university placement and future career opportunities.
Students prepare for it from their first school day. A 13-year-old explained he has no time for phone addiction because tutoring and homework last until midnight.
Critics demand education instead of confiscation. “We should first teach students what they can do without phones,” says 18-year-old Seo Min-joon, a high school student opposing the law.
He argues that banning phones in class changes little. “Students will still use them at night or on the way home,” he says. “We never learned healthy use, only faced punishment.”
