Seoul: South Korea has passed a landmark bill banning the use of mobile phones and smart devices during school hours. The legislation, approved Wednesday with 115 votes in favor out of 163 lawmakers present, will take effect in March 2026, the start of the new school year.
It prohibits students from using phones during lessons, while granting teachers authority to enforce restrictions across school premises. Exceptions are allowed for students with disabilities, in the event of an emergency, or for educational purposes.
Most South Korean schools already impose some limits, but the new law establishes a nationwide standard. The move follows similar measures in countries such as Finland and France, which restrict phones in younger grades, and Italy, the Netherlands, and China, which extend bans across all schools.
The measure reflects deepening concern about the effects of smartphone dependency. A government survey this year found nearly a quarter of South Korea’s 51 million people rely too heavily on their devices, rising to 43 percent among those aged 10 to 19. More than one-third of teenagers said they struggle to control the time spent on social media.
Teachers remain split. The conservative Korean Federation of Teachers’ Association welcomed the law, saying it gives educators stronger legal grounds to manage classrooms. The group cited surveys showing nearly 70 percent of teachers had faced disruptions from phone use, with some students reacting aggressively when restricted.
Students themselves are divided. Some worry the ban will do little to curb overuse. Others argue the demands of South Korea’s competitive education system leave little room for addiction.
The bill’s sponsor, opposition lawmaker Cho Jung-hun, defended the measure, citing significant scientific and medical proof that smartphone addiction harms brain development and emotional growth. The law also calls on schools to provide digital literacy education, teaching students how to use devices responsibly.
