South Korea’s parliament passed a bill on Wednesday prohibiting the use of mobile phones and other digital devices in school classrooms nationwide.
The law, set to take effect in March next year, comes during rising concern over the impact of heavy social media use among young people.
The move aligns South Korea with other countries tightening restrictions on screen time for minors.
Surveys highlight South Korea’s deep digital penetration, with 99% of its population online and 98% owning smartphones—the highest among 27 countries studied by the Pew Research Center in 2022–2023.
"Our youth's addiction to social media is at a serious level now," said Cho Jung-hun, a lawmaker from the opposition People Power Party and a sponsor of the bill.
A government survey found that 37% of middle and high school students believe social media disrupts their daily lives, and 22% experience anxiety when unable to access their accounts.
While many schools already enforced their own rules, the new legislation formalises these restrictions.
Exceptions will remain for students with disabilities and for educational purposes.
However, some youth advocacy groups oppose the law, arguing that a blanket ban could infringe on children’s rights.
Police in Minneapolis have said that 2 children were killed in the shooting at Annunciation church today with 17 people injured, 14 of them children....
Germany has taken a major step to bolster its defence, with the cabinet approving a draft bill to reintroduce voluntary military service. The move ref...
Kyiv calls on allies to accelerate commitments while signalling openness to talks in neutral countries, even as fighting intensifies on the eastern fr...
Denmark has publicly apologized to Greenland over the administration of birth control on its girls and women over decades as part of plans to fend off...
China’s northern port city is preparing to welcome leaders from across three continents for the largest Shanghai Cooperation Organization gathering ...
Germany has taken a major step to bolster its defence, with the cabinet approving a draft bill to reintroduce voluntary military service. The move reflects a broader shift in Europe as governments react to security threats from Russia’s war in Ukraine. But what exactly is changing, and why now?
Kyiv calls on allies to accelerate commitments while signalling openness to talks in neutral countries, even as fighting intensifies on the eastern front.
Denmark has publicly apologized to Greenland over the administration of birth control on its girls and women over decades as part of plans to fend off growing U.S. interest in the mineral-rich island.
China’s northern port city is preparing to welcome leaders from across three continents for the largest Shanghai Cooperation Organization gathering to date.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
Kuwait says oil prices will likely stay below $72 per barrel as OPEC monitors global supply trends and U.S. policy signals. The remarks come during market uncertainty fueled by new U.S. tariffs on India and possible sanctions on Russia.
Police in Minneapolis have said that 2 children were killed in the shooting at Annunciation church today with 17 people injured, 14 of them children.
Germany has taken a major step to bolster its defence, with the cabinet approving a draft bill to reintroduce voluntary military service. The move reflects a broader shift in Europe as governments react to security threats from Russia’s war in Ukraine. But what exactly is changing, and why now?
Kyiv calls on allies to accelerate commitments while signalling openness to talks in neutral countries, even as fighting intensifies on the eastern front.
Denmark has publicly apologized to Greenland over the administration of birth control on its girls and women over decades as part of plans to fend off growing U.S. interest in the mineral-rich island.
China’s northern port city is preparing to welcome leaders from across three continents for the largest Shanghai Cooperation Organization gathering to date.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment