South Korea outlaws classroom mobile phone use from 2026

South Korea has officially passed a law banning the use of mobile phones and smart devices during school hours, making it one of the few countries to enshrine such restrictions in legislation. 

The ban, which takes effect in March 2026, is designed to combat rising concerns over smartphone addiction among children and teenagers.

Why the Ban?

The bill, introduced by opposition MP Cho Jung-hun and passed with 115 votes out of 163, is the result of mounting evidence that excessive screen time is harming students’ academic focus, brain development, and social skills.

Nearly 43% of South Koreans aged 10–19 are considered to overuse their phones, compared to 24% of the general population, according to a 2024 government survey. Parents and teachers warn that constant scrolling, gaming, and messaging are interfering with studies, friendships, and emotional well-being.

“When children are at school, they should be learning, building friendships, and joining activities. Instead, many cannot put their phones down,” said Choi Eun-young, a mother of a 14-year-old in Seoul.

The ban restricts phone use during class hours but gives teachers authority to enforce restrictions across school premises. Exceptions will be made for:

Students with disabilities using assistive devices

Emergency situations

Educational use under a teacher’s guidance

The legislation also calls on schools to educate students on responsible digital habits.

Parents generally welcomed the move, especially those concerned about cyberbullying and the mental health effects of social media. Some teachers, too, say it gives them stronger backing to tackle classroom disruptions — an internal survey by the Korean Federation of Teachers’ Association found 70% had reported conflicts linked to phone use.

However, the Korean Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union stopped short of endorsing the law, with some members warning it infringes on students’ rights. High school teacher Cho Young-sun argued that the ban distracts from deeper issues, like the intense pressure of Suneung, South Korea’s make-or-break college entrance exam.

Students are also divided. While some acknowledge the harm of constant screen time, others believe the law misses the point.

South Korea joins countries like France, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, and China that have already imposed school restrictions on smartphones. But unlike most, it has gone further by making the ban a matter of law.

The debate reflects a broader tension in modern societies: how to balance technology’s benefits with its risks. For many Korean families, the question remains whether banning phones in class truly addresses the problem — or whether it sidesteps the deeper academic and social pressures facing young people.