South Korea has officially enacted a nationwide ban on the use of mobile phones in school classrooms, becoming the latest country to address growing concerns about social media’s impact on young people.

The measure, passed by the National Assembly on Wednesday and announced by officials on Thursday, August 28, will go into effect starting March of next year. Under the new law, students will be prohibited from using smartphones and other smart devices during class time, unless the technology is being used for educational activities or as an aid for students with disabilities or special learning requirements.

According to the Education Ministry, the legislation is designed to protect students’ learning environments and help teachers maintain classroom discipline and engagement.

The use of mobile phones in schools has been a divisive topic in South Korea, with debates centering around student rights. However, the National Human Rights Commission recently determined that limitations on device use are reasonable, citing the detrimental impact of smartphones on academic performance and emotional health.

Still, the law has faced pushback. Critics, including the progressive Jinbo Party, argue that the restrictions undermine students’ digital freedoms and prevent them from learning to use technology responsibly.

With this new policy, South Korea joins other nations like the Netherlands and Australia, which have also imposed stricter rules on student phone use in an effort to reduce distractions and curb the influence of social media in the classroom.

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