South Korea has passed a nationwide ban on mobile phones in school classrooms, becoming the latest country to address growing concerns about social media’s impact on young people’s education.
According to report, the National Assembly approved the legislation on Wednesday, with officials confirming Thursday that the new law will begin in March 2026.
Students will no longer be permitted to use smartphones or other smart devices during class time, except when the technology is specifically needed for educational activities or to assist students with disabilities.
The Education Ministry says the goal is simple: protect students’ ability to concentrate on learning while helping teachers maintain classroom order.
This decision comes after years of debate about balancing educational needs with individual rights.
The National Human Rights Commission recently supported the restrictions, citing research showing that excessive smartphone use negatively affects both academic performance and students’ mental health.
However, the policy has faced pushback. Opposition groups, including the Jinbo Party, believe the ban violates students’ digital rights and eliminates valuable opportunities for them to learn responsible technology use under adult supervision.
South Korea now joins Australia and the Netherlands among countries that have implemented similar classroom phone restrictions.
Schools will have several months to prepare for implementation and develop clear guidelines for enforcement.
