"Can't Use Smartphones During Class?" Students in Uproar... Does It Really Work?

Europe, the US, and Australia Introduced Bans First
Effectiveness Remains Debated Among Institutions
Differences in Ban Intensity and Implementation Methods

A law prohibiting the use of mobile phones during elementary, middle, and high school classes will be implemented starting next year. While countries such as Italy, France, the United States, and Australia have already introduced measures restricting smartphone use on school grounds, evaluations of their effectiveness vary. Experts advise that, to address the issue of digital addiction among adolescents, ongoing attention both inside and outside of schools is needed so that children can learn to regulate their own smartphone use.

Smartphone Use Banned During Classes Starting Next School Year

On August 27, the National Assembly passed an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, prohibiting the use of mobile phones during school classes. Beginning March 1 next year, elementary, middle, and high school students will not be allowed to use mobile phones during class, with exceptions only for educational purposes or emergency situations. As a result, each school will need to establish new school regulations regarding this policy. Schools may also choose to restrict mobile phone use on campus outside of class hours if necessary.

Not related to any specific expression in the article.

The measure to ban smartphone use during class is intended to improve students' academic achievement and prevent digital media addiction. Assemblyman Cho Junghoon of the People Power Party, who sponsored the bill, stated on Facebook, "At the very least, we should keep children away from the temptations of algorithms and the waves of over-immersion while they are at school," adding, "Even if students are a little disappointed now, it is a responsibility that society must fulfill."

First Introduced in the US and Europe... Effectiveness Varies

Measures to restrict smartphone use on school grounds are already in place in several countries. In Europe, Italy took the first step in 2007, followed by France in 2018, and later expanded to the Netherlands, Finland, and across the continent. In Australia and the United States, more schools are banning smartphone use during class on a state-by-state basis. In the United Kingdom, while there is no legal mandate, over 90% of schools have established their own bans.

However, opinions are divided regarding the impact of banning smartphones during class on students. The French government reported that, after the ban was implemented in middle schools in 2018, there were positive effects such as increased social interaction, more physical activity, reduced digital bullying, and improved student concentration. In the Netherlands, a survey of staff at 630 elementary and middle schools found that 75% responded that student concentration had improved.

Classroom scene during a lesson. Not related to any specific expression in the article.

On the other hand, a study conducted by researchers at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom in February tracked more than 1,200 students attending schools with and without smartphone bans. The results showed no significant differences in students’ sleep, exercise levels, or academic achievement. This research was published in "The Lancet," one of the world's top three medical journals.

"Banning Smartphones on Campus Alone Is Not Enough Without Self-Regulation"

Experts point to the varying degrees of strictness in smartphone bans across countries as a reason for the mixed evaluations of their effectiveness. In a paper titled "Beyond the Ban" published in May, researchers at Stockholm University in Sweden analyzed major countries' smartphone restriction measures and noted that the method of banning smartphone use differed by school. Some schools completely banned possession of smartphones, some collected phones at the start of the school day and returned them at the end, while others banned use only during class-resulting in widely varying rules.

The researchers divided the strictness of school smartphone policies into three levels: "complete ban," "moderate ban," and "classroom-only ban." Their analysis found that the expected effects appeared only when the ban was strict and when school staff properly monitored and enforced the rules.

Students using smartphones. Photo by Yonhap News

The researchers also pointed out that even a complete ban, where students are thoroughly separated from smartphones throughout the school day, "cannot be a perfect solution in practice." This is because there was no change in students' smartphone usage time after school. In other words, unless students learn to regulate their own smartphone use, it is difficult to solve the problem of digital addiction.

Ahn Kihee, head of the Smartphone-Free Movement Headquarters, explained, "Although there were previous executive orders banning smartphone use during class, the lack of a legal basis made it difficult to take practical action in educational settings. The significance of this education law amendment is that it provides clear guidelines allowing teachers to collect students' smartphones before class."

Ahn added, "However, to truly resolve digital addiction among adolescents, it is necessary to reduce smartphone dependence outside of school as well. For example, parents should encourage self-regulation by setting aside 30 minutes a day at home when smartphones are turned off."