Smartphones, digital devices to be banned in school classrooms next March

A teacher collects students' phones before the national college entrance exam at Yeouido Girls' High School in Seoul, Nov. 17, 2022. Joint Press Corps

The National Assembly has approved a revised bill to restrict students from using smartphones and other digital devices in classrooms starting next school year, officials said Thursday, amid concerns over the potentially harmful effects posed by the devices.

Under the revised Elementary and Secondary Education Act passed Wednesday, elementary, middle and high school students will not be allowed to use smartphones and other similar devices during class beginning March 1, according to the education ministry.

With the ban set to take effect, Korea will become the latest nation to restrict the use of smartphones and digital devices in classrooms.

Korea has sought to clamp down on the use of such devices in schools amid concerns over smartphone addiction among young people.

Since September 2023, the education ministry has outlined restrictions on smartphones and other portable electronic devices during class. The revised law is expected to provide the legal basis for the ministry's restrictions.

There will be exceptions to the upcoming ban for students with disabilities, emergency situations and education purposes.

Last year, the National Human Rights Commission determined that schools collectively taking away phones was not a violation of human rights.