Holiday Ayo - 

The South Korean government has officially enacted legislation banning the use of mobile phones and digital devices in classrooms. The regulation will take effect in March 2026, amid growing concerns over the negative impact of social media on students.

With this policy, South Korea follows the path of several other countries. Australia has already expanded restrictions on social media access for teenagers, while research in the Netherlands shows that banning mobile phones improves students’ concentration in class.

The bill was passed with bipartisan support in parliament on Wednesday (August 27, 2025). “Social media addiction among young people has reached a critical level,” said Cho Jung-hun, a member of the People Power Party, as quoted by Reuters on Thursday (August 28, 2025).

A survey conducted by the Ministry of Education revealed that 37 percent of middle and high school students believe social media affects their daily lives, while 22 percent experience anxiety when they cannot access it.

Several schools had previously introduced internal rules limiting mobile phone use, but this legislation formalizes the restrictions nationwide. However, digital devices will still be permitted for educational purposes and for students with disabilities.

Despite receiving majority support, the policy has drawn criticism from child advocacy groups, who argue that banning mobile phones could restrict children’s rights to expression and communication.