From March next year, students in South Korea will no longer be allowed to use their mobile phones during lessons. The new rule, approved by the country’s National Assembly this week, is aimed at helping kids stay focused in class and reducing the growing impact of social media on young people.
The ban applies to smartphones and other smart devices inside classrooms. The only exceptions are when the gadgets are used for learning purposes or to support students with disabilities or special needs.
South Korea’s Ministry of Education said the move is about protecting students’ “right to learn” and making it easier for teachers to keep classrooms distraction-free.
For years, the idea of banning phones in schools has been a hot topic in the country, with opponents calling it an infringement on rights. But the National Human Rights Commission recently ruled that restrictions are fair, pointing out that phones often hurt learning outcomes and affect students’ mental health.
Not everyone is on board, though. The left-wing Jinbo Party has criticized the law, arguing that it limits students’ digital rights and doesn’t help them learn how to use technology responsibly.
With this decision, South Korea joins countries like Australia and the Netherlands, which have also tightened rules on mobile phone use in schools.
For now, students will have to adjust to the idea of keeping their phones away — at least until the school bell rings.