South Korea has approved a law banning the use of smartphones and other digital devices during school lessons, hoping to reduce phone addiction and improve focus among students.
The revised Elementary and Secondary Education Act, passed by the National Assembly on Aug. 27, will take effect in March 2026. Applying to elementary, middle, and high school students, the new law will prohibit the use of phones and tablets in class, with exceptions made for emergencies, special needs, or educational purposes. Schools may also decide whether to ban phones completely or collect them at the start of the day.
Currently, classroom phone rules are merely administrative guidelines. Teachers have struggled to enforce them as they are nonbinding, leading lawmakers to establish a legal framework. Although the new law does not include criminal penalties, schools are expected to issue warnings or offer counseling.
Government surveys show more than 213,000 students are at risk of smartphone overuse, linked to sleep problems, poor concentration, and depression. Teacher groups welcomed the decision, noting that students secretly using phones frequently disrupted lessons.
South Korea joins countries such as France, the United Kingdom, and some U.S. states in adopting “phone-free” classrooms to protect learning.