South Korean Schools Brace for Smartphone Ban in Classrooms, but Rules Remain Murky
SEOUL, Sept. 1 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean schools are preparing to revise their internal rules after lawmakers passed a law banning the use of smartphones and other digital devices during class beginning next semester. Yet with education authorities leaving key decisions to individual schools, administrators are grappling with how far the restrictions should go.
The revised Elementary and Secondary Education Act, approved by the National Assembly on August 27, prohibits students from using smartphones during lessons starting March 2026. It also empowers principals and teachers to restrict both the use and possession of devices on school grounds if deemed necessary to protect students’ right to learn and to safeguard teaching.
Exceptions remain: students with disabilities, those in special education programs, or those using devices for instructional purposes or in emergencies may be allowed to use them if approved by teachers.
While many schools already impose some form of limits—such as collection of phones at the start of the day—some had taken a more lenient stance. These schools now face pressure to codify stricter rules but remain unsure whether to adopt full collection policies or rely on students’ self-discipline.
“There’s a risk of greater student dissatisfaction if one school confiscates phones while another allows them with minimal oversight,” said an official at a middle school in Gwangju.
Administrators also worry about pushback from students and parents. A high school in South Jeolla Province, which currently leaves phone collection to student choice, warned that forcing compliance without clear government guidance could lead to conflict.
Local education offices in Gwangju and South Jeolla admitted they have yet to determine how many schools currently restrict phone use or to what extent. Officials said they plan to survey schools before offering recommendations.
“The circumstances differ widely across schools, and opinions among parents and teachers vary,” one education office official said. “It is difficult to impose a one-size-fits-all rule.”
The law marks the first statutory basis for curbing smartphone use during lessons in South Korea, reflecting growing concern about youth overreliance on digital devices. But whether it will bring uniform enforcement—or greater discord—remains uncertain.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
