South Korea has passed a bill banning the use of mobile phones and smart devices during class hours in schools - becoming the latest country to restrict phone use among children and teens.
The law, which comes into effect from the next school year in March 2026, is the result of a bi-partisan effort to curb smartphone addiction, as more research points to its harmful effects.
Lawmakers, parents, and teachers argue that smartphone use is affecting students' academic performance and takes away time they could have spent studying.
The ban has its skeptics, including students, who question how it would work, its wider implications, and whether it is addressing the root cause of addiction.
The bill passed convincingly, with 115 votes in favor out of 163 members present.
Most South Korean schools have already implemented some form of a smartphone ban, following the trend set by countries like Finland, France, and China, which have similar restrictions.
Despite these concerns, some teachers remain skeptical of the law, questioning how effectively it will address the underlying issues of smartphone dependence. As schools move forward with this law, the debate continues on finding a balanced approach between regulating smartphone use and fostering healthy technology habits among students.
