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South Korea Passes Nationwide Classroom Phone Ban Effective March 2026

Lawmakers cite adolescent social‑media overuse to formalize classroom limits many schools already enforce.

South Korean students wait to take the annual College Scholastic Ability Test at a school in Seoul, South Korea, November 14, 2024. Song Kyung-Seok/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
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Overview

  • The National Assembly approved the measure with bipartisan backing, with 115 of 163 lawmakers present voting in favor.
  • The law bars mobile phones and other digital devices during lessons, with exceptions for emergencies, approved educational use, and students with disabilities.
  • Principals and teachers gain authority to restrict use or possession and to respond to violations under school rules, while each school sets specific policies.
  • Existing school‑level restrictions are now standardized nationwide, with implementation slated for the next school year beginning March 2026.
  • Supporters point to Education Ministry data on student anxiety and social‑media effects in a nation where 99% are online and 98% own smartphones, while youth advocacy groups warn of rights concerns.