South Korea has passed a landmark law that will prohibit the use of mobile phones and digital devices inside classrooms nationwide, with the ban scheduled to take effect in March 2026. The decision comes amid growing concerns over what lawmakers describe as a worsening crisis of youth social media addiction.

Lawmakers Sound Alarm Over Teen Screen Habits

The bill was sponsored by Cho Jung-hun of the opposition People Power Party, who has been vocal about the impact of late-night scrolling on students. “Our kids, their eyes are red every morning. They are on Instagram until 2 or 3 a.m.,” he cautioned, underscoring the urgency behind the legislation.

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Following Global Trends on Screen Restrictions

South Korea’s move is not without precedent. Australia recently tightened its pioneering restrictions on teen social media use, while schools in the Netherlands have reported improved concentration among students after limiting phone access.

A Nation Deep in Digital Saturation

The scale of South Korea’s digital reliance is striking. According to a Pew Research Centre study conducted between 2022 and 2023, 99 percent of South Koreans are online, with 98 percent owning a smartphone—the highest rates among 27 countries surveyed. A domestic survey by the Education Ministry in 2023 revealed that 37 percent of middle and high school students felt social media disrupted their daily lives, and 22 percent admitted feeling anxious without access to their accounts.

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Exceptions for Learning and Accessibility

While many schools already impose partial restrictions on mobile devices during lessons, the new law will extend these rules nationwide, ensuring uniformity across the education system. Exceptions will be made for students with disabilities and for specific educational uses, keeping the focus on balance rather than outright exclusion.