(Adnkronos) – The South Korean Parliament has passed a law banning the use of cell phones and smart devices during school hours, with 115 votes in favor out of 163. The measure, which will take effect in March 2026, stems from a bipartisan initiative to combat the growing smartphone addiction among children and adolescents, supported by studies highlighting its negative effects on school performance, brain development, and emotional growth. The BBC reports.
“Smartphone addiction has extremely harmful effects on students’ brain development and emotional growth,” said Rep. Cho Jung-hun, the bill’s sponsor. The law grants teachers the power to prevent the use of devices even in school spaces and introduces digital education programs to raise students’ awareness of responsible technology use. Exceptions are provided for students with disabilities, special educational needs, or emergency situations.
The measure divides public opinion: parents and some teachers argue that excessive phone use is compromising study, relationships, and school participation, while some students and teachers fear that the ban does not address the real causes of addiction. “Rather than simply taking away phones, students should be taught what they can do without them,” commented Seo Min-joon, 18, critical of the new legislation.
