Seoul: South Korea has enacted a groundbreaking law prohibiting the use of mobile phones and digital devices during school classes. This legislation was passed by the National Assembly as a revision to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, marking a rare bipartisan agreement between the ruling Democratic Party and the opposition People Power Party.

According to Anadolu Agency, the newly passed law is set to be implemented from the next spring semester, starting in March. The law allows students with disabilities or those receiving special education to use digital devices as assistive tools, provided they have prior approval. Additionally, schools will have the autonomy to develop their own policies in line with the law, potentially extending the ban to cover the entire campus.

Violations of this ban will be addressed through warnings, counseling, disciplinary actions, and guidance by school authorities. This legislative move aligns with the South Korean Education Ministry's previous administrative directive in 2023, which restricted smartphone use during class hours.

In a related development, Australia, known for being the first nation to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms, recently expanded its ban to include YouTube, having previously restricted access to X, Instagram, and other platforms. This ban is expected to take effect later this year.