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 ...