Seoul, August 27: South Korea has passed a landmark bill banning the use of mobile phones and digital devices in school classrooms nationwide, amid rising concerns over social media addiction among youth. The law, which takes effect in March 2026, aims to improve student focus and mental well-being.
The bill received rare bipartisan support in parliament on Wednesday. Lawmaker Cho Jung-hun of the opposition People Power Party, one of the sponsors, said, “Our youth’s addiction to social media is at a serious level now. Our kids, their eyes are red every morning. They are on Instagram until 2 or 3 a.m.”
Surveys show South Korea is among the most digitally connected countries in the world, with 99% of its citizens online and 98% owning a smartphone, the highest rate among 27 nations surveyed by Pew Research in 2022–23.
The Education Ministry found last year that 37% of middle and high school students reported social media impacts on their daily lives, while 22% said they felt anxious when unable to access their accounts.
While many schools already had local restrictions, the new legislation formalises the policy nationwide. Digital devices will still be permitted for students with disabilities or for educational purposes.
However, some youth advocacy groups have criticised the move, arguing it infringes on children’s rights.
South Korea now joins a growing list of nations — including Australia and the Netherlands — implementing bans on mobile phone use in schools to counter the effects of digital addiction.
