South Korea Passes Nationwide Ban on Phones in Classrooms to Tackle Smartphone Addiction

South Korea has become one of the first countries in the world to legally ban mobile phones and smart devices in classrooms nationwide, as lawmakers move to combat rising concerns over smartphone addiction among children and teenagers.

The new law, passed on Wednesday with 115 votes in favour out of 163 lawmakers present, will take effect from March 2026, the start of the next school year. It prohibits students from using phones during class hours, though the full details of enforcement will be determined by schools.

The measure is the result of a rare bipartisan consensus in parliament, driven by mounting evidence that excessive screen use is undermining academic performance, disrupting social development, and fuelling mental health issues.

While many South Korean schools already have rules restricting phone use, the country is among the few to enshrine such a ban in law. Globally, restrictions vary: France and Finland have targeted younger children, while Italy, the Netherlands, and China have extended bans across all schools.

Government data shows that nearly 25% of South Korea’s 51 million people are considered overly dependent on their phones. Among teenagers, the problem is far more acute: 43% of those aged 10–19 are classified as heavily reliant on smartphones, a number that has been steadily rising.

More than a third of South Korean teens also admit they struggle to control the time they spend on short-form video apps and social media, which parents say is eating into study time, friendships, and extracurricular activities.

“When they go to school, they’re supposed to study, build friendships, and take part in activities. But many can’t focus. Even in conversation, they go back to their phones, which naturally interferes with learning,” said Choi Eun-young, a mother of a 14-year-old in Seoul.

Many parents have welcomed the move, citing not just distraction but also growing concerns over online bullying.

“Kids throw around unthinkably harsh insults on social media. With my daughters in primary school, I worry about what they’ll face as they grow older,” said Kim Sun, a parent in Seoul.

Students, however, have voiced scepticism, questioning whether the ban will be practical or whether it truly addresses the root causes of addiction in a hyper-connected society where phones are central to daily life.

Still, with smartphone dependency among South Korean teens at record highs, lawmakers say the classroom ban is a necessary first step to give children “room to learn, focus, and grow” without constant digital distraction.