South Korea bans smartphones in all middle and elementary school classrooms

South Korean lawmakers have banned smartphones and other smart devices in elementary and middle school classrooms, The New York Times reports. The law goes into effect in 2026.

The legislation only outlaws these devices during class hours and there are no stipulations regarding punishment for violators. The law does, however, give principals and teachers the power to stop students from carrying or using a phone on school grounds. Additionally, students are able to use smart devices during emergencies and for educational purposes as outlined in the legislation.

Most schools in South Korea already place restrictions on smartphone use in classrooms, under various guidelines put in place in 2023. The new bill, passed through the country’s National Assembly, makes them illegal nationwide.

A 2024 government survey found that nearly a quarter of the country's population could not control how long ​they used smartphones, despite “negative effects on their physical, psychological and social life.” This figure rose all the way to 43 percent with children and teens.

The law does have its opponents, with detractors releasing a statement stating that the ruling is "directly infringing upon students’ basic constitutional rights, such as freedom of communication and rights to keep privacy and seek happiness."

South Korea isn't the only country to make this kind of move. France, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands and China, among others, have all placed various levels of restriction on smartphone use at school.

America has also followed suit, though on a state-by-state level. All told, 14 states have strict restrictions in place regarding smartphone use during school hours. These states include New York, Florida, Virginia and South Carolina.

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