South Korea has passed a law banning smartphones and other smart devices during school hours. The country joins a growing list of nations restricting young people’s phone use.
The new rules come into effect in March 2026. Lawmakers from both major parties supported the measure. They say the goal is to fight smartphone addiction, which studies increasingly link to harmful effects.
Lawmakers and parents push for change
Supporters argue that phones disrupt learning and weaken academic performance. They also say children spend less time studying and focusing because of constant screen use. Parents complain their children lose valuable time scrolling on social media instead of engaging with friends or hobbies.
Still, not everyone welcomes the ban. Students question how it will be enforced and whether it addresses the deeper roots of addiction.
On Wednesday, the bill passed with 115 votes in favour out of 163 lawmakers present.
Other countries lead the way
Many South Korean schools already have their own restrictions. Finland and France have limited phones for younger students. Italy, the Netherlands and China banned phones across all schools. South Korea now goes further by writing the ban into law.
Children “just can’t seem to put their smartphones down,” says Seoul mother Choi Eun-young, whose daughter is 14.
Smartphone addiction spreads among teenagers
The problem is widespread beyond schools. A 2024 government survey found nearly a quarter of South Korea’s 51 million citizens depend too heavily on their devices. Among 10 to 19-year-olds, the figure jumps to 43%.
More than a third of teenagers say they struggle to stop scrolling through videos. Parents fear this eats into study time, friendships, and extracurricular activities.
“When children go to school, they should learn, socialise and join activities,” Ms Choi explains. “But they keep going back to their phones. This weakens friendships and learning.”
Other parents worry about bullying on social media, where young users often exchange extremely harsh insults.
Politicians cite health concerns
Cho Jung-hun, an opposition lawmaker who introduced the bill, says he acted after seeing other countries take similar steps. He argues that smartphone addiction harms brain development and emotional growth.
The law applies during class hours, but schools can also stop use elsewhere on campus. It allows phone use for educational purposes, emergencies, or by students with disabilities. Schools must also teach children about responsible smartphone use.
Teachers remain divided
Educators disagree on the law. The conservative Korean Federation of Teachers’ Association supports the measure. The group says it strengthens teachers’ ability to enforce restrictions. In a survey, 70% of teachers reported classroom disruptions linked to phones. Some described students lashing out, swearing or even assaulting teachers when told to put devices away.
But the Korean Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union has not taken an official stance. Some members fear the law violates students’ rights. Critics also argue that students depend on messaging apps to connect with friends outside of school and tutoring centres.
Pressure from exams remains the bigger issue
Some teachers say the ban ignores South Korea’s real problem: the fierce competition of the national college entrance exam, Suneung. The gruelling eight-hour test determines access to universities and future career paths.
Children prepare for Suneung from their first day of school. One 13-year-old student said he has no time for phone addiction, as private tutoring and homework keep him awake past midnight.
Others argue education, not confiscation, should be the solution. “The first step should be teaching students what to do without phones,” says 18-year-old Seo Min-joon, who has spoken against the ban.
He warns that banning devices during class misses the point. “Students will still use them on their way home or late at night,” he says. “There has been no real education about healthy use, just punishment.”
