South Korean youth smart device regulation

Discussions regarding the regulation of social media and smart devices for youth in South Korea have moved from legislative forums to specific school-level implementations and medical policy debates.

In late August, the South Korean National Assembly hosted a forum to address the impact of smartphones and social media on adolescent mental health and sleep. During this event, the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education promoted its ‘Phone Free School’ initiative, which seeks to expand pilot programs from 100 to 300 locations to encourage students to engage in reading, arts, and sports instead of using devices.

By late September, schools in Chungcheongbuk-do began tightening student life regulations, with 471 institutions establishing specific guidelines for device storage and disciplinary measures. While these rules generally restrict device use during lessons, legislative efforts have emerged to balance restrictions with health needs. Representative Lee So-hee proposed an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to ensure students can use devices for critical medical monitoring, such as continuous glucose monitoring for Type 1 diabetes, without requiring explicit teacher permission.