South Korea has approved a nationwide ban on mobile phones in school classrooms, joining a growing number of countries tightening restrictions on smart devices in education to curb distractions and social media use among students.
The legislation, passed by the National Assembly on Wednesday and announced on August 28, will take effect in March next year. Under the new law, smartphones and other digital devices will be prohibited in classrooms, except when used for educational purposes or as assistive tools for students with disabilities or special learning needs.
The Ministry of Education said the move is aimed at safeguarding students’ right to learn while supporting teachers in maintaining focus during lessons. Lawmakers noted that the debate had been contentious for years, with critics raising human rights concerns.
However, the National Human Rights Commission recently concluded that restrictions were justified, citing the harmful impact of excessive smartphone use on learning outcomes and emotional well-being.
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Despite broad support, the law has drawn criticism from groups such as the left-wing Jinbo Party, which argues that the ban infringes on students’ digital rights and restricts opportunities to develop responsible online habits.
With this measure, South Korea aligns itself with countries including Australia and the Netherlands, which have also tightened regulations on mobile phone use in schools.