South Korea bans phones in schools - New law aims to curb children's addiction to social media
South Korea has passed a law banning the use of mobile phones and other digital devices in classrooms across the country, amid growing concerns about the impact of excessive social media use on young people.
This ban, which will come into effect from March next year, makes South Korea the latest country to restrict the use of smartphones and social networks by minors.
Australia recently extended its ban on social media to teenagers. Meanwhile, a study in the Netherlands concluded that banning cell phones in schools improved students' concentration.
According to the American Pew Research Center, South Korea is one of the most digital countries in the world, with 99% of the population online and 98% owning a smartphone, the highest percentages among the 27 countries analyzed during 2022–2023.
The phone ban law received bipartisan support during a vote in parliament. “The addiction of our young people to social media has reached a worrying level,” said an opposition lawmaker and one of the bill’s sponsors. “Our children have red eyes every morning. They stay on Instagram until 2 or 3 in the morning,” he told parliament.
According to a survey conducted last year by the Ministry of Education, about 37% of middle and high school students reported that social media affects their daily lives, while 22% said they feel anxious if they cannot access their accounts. Many schools in South Korea already implement their own restrictions on cell phone use, and this law makes this practice official.
Digital devices will still be allowed for students with disabilities or for educational purposes. Some youth rights groups have spoken out against the decision, saying it violates children's rights.
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