South Korea has passed a nationwide law banning the use of mobile phones and other digital devices in school classrooms, amid growing concerns over the impact of heavy social media use among young people. The ban, which comes into effect in March next year, makes South Korea the latest country to impose restrictions on smartphones and social media use among minors.
The legislation received bipartisan support during Wednesday’s parliamentary vote. Lawmaker Cho Jung-hun from the opposition People Power Party, a sponsor of the bill, highlighted the severity of the issue, saying, “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 that South Korea is among the world’s most digitally connected countries, with 99% of citizens online and 98% owning a smartphone, the highest rate among 27 countries surveyed by the U.S.-based Pew Research Center in 2022 and 2023. A survey by the Education Ministry last year found that around 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.
While many schools in South Korea already have their own restrictions on smartphone use, the new law formalises these measures nationwide. Digital devices will still be allowed for students with disabilities or for educational purposes.
However, some youth advocacy groups have opposed the ban, arguing that it could infringe upon children’s human rights.
South Korea joins a growing list of countries taking action against teen social media use, following similar initiatives in Australia and the Netherlands, where studies have shown improved student focus after restricting mobile phone use in schools.
