Alarming Surge in Verbal and Physical Abuse Toward Korean Teachers Amid Digital Discipline Battle (Image created by ChatGPT)
SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea will begin enforcing a legal ban on students’ use of mobile phones during class this spring, but educators are warning that inconsistent rules across schools could sow confusion and spark complaints from parents.
The Education Ministry said late last month that it had issued a revised administrative guideline clarifying how teachers and principals may restrict students’ use of smartphones and other smart devices during lessons.
The measure is designed to support amendments to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which take effect in March and formally prohibit phone use in class amid growing concern over student smartphone addiction.
Under the new guideline, teachers may warn students and limit device use during lessons, with exceptions allowed for students with disabilities who rely on assistive technology, for educational purposes, or in emergencies. Principals are also authorized to require devices to be collected and stored in accordance with school rules.
Students using smartphones (Yonhap)
While most schools already restrict phone use during class, educators say the lack of standardized criteria could create uneven practices. The ministry has given schools until Aug. 31 to revise their internal regulations, leaving principals wide discretion in the interim.
Teacher groups caution that the variation could lead to disputes. Some schools collect phones at the start of the day, while others allow students to keep them but prohibit use; policies on phone use during breaks also differ sharply.
In a recent survey by the Korean Federation of Teachers’ Associations, more than 30 percent of teachers said their schools’ rules on smart device use were inadequately prepared.
“If neighboring schools apply different standards, confusion and complaints from students and parents are inevitable,” said Jang Seung-hyeok, a spokesman for the federation, which has urged the ministry to issue a model set of school rules to reduce friction.
Education officials say the revised guideline provides a legal foundation for stronger classroom management but acknowledge that schools will need time to adapt. As the new law takes effect, how uniformly it is enforced may determine whether it curbs classroom distractions—or becomes another source of contention in an already strained education system.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
