South Korea Implements Nationwide Ban on Mobile Phones in Schools

South Korea has passed a bill banning the use of mobile phones and smart devices during class hours in schools - becoming the latest country to restrict phone use among children and teens.

The law, which comes into effect from the next school year in March 2026, is the result of a bipartisan effort to curb smartphone addiction, as more research points to its harmful effects. Lawmakers, parents, and teachers argue that smartphone use is affecting students' academic performance and takes away time they could have spent studying.

The ban has its skeptics, including students, who question how it would work, its wider implications, and whether it is addressing the root cause of addiction.

The bill passed convincingly on Wednesday afternoon, with 115 votes in favor out of 163 members present. Most South Korean schools have already implemented some form of a smartphone ban, and they are not the first to do so. Some countries like Finland and France have banned phones on a smaller scale, while others like Italy, the Netherlands, and China have restricted phone use in all schools.

Nearly a quarter of South Koreans depend on their phones too much, according to a 2024 government survey, a figure that exceeds 43% among those aged 10 to 19, with many teens struggling to manage their screen time effectively.

Cho Jung-hun, an MP from the opposition People Power Party who introduced the bill, reported that there is significant scientific and medical proof that smartphone addiction has detrimental effects on students' brain development and emotional growth.

While the law bans phone use during class hours, it also empowers teachers to stop students from using their phones on school premises, allowing exceptions for students with disabilities and during emergencies.

However, educators are divided over the ban. The conservative Korean Federation of Teachers' Association supports the measure for providing a legal basis for restrictions, while others express concerns about students' rights to access their smartphones.

With South Korea’s education system geared heavily towards preparation for the highly competitive college entrance exam, known as Suneung, students feel immense pressure. Many believe that addressing the root causes of smartphone addiction is more critical than merely implementing bans. Some students argue for educational curriculum changes that promote healthy device usage rather than just confiscation.