Is South Korea’s school smartphone ban the answer to teen tech addiction?

On a crisp morning just north of Seoul, Ryu Da-yeon hands over her smartphone to her teacher – a ritual so familiar she barely notices it.

Next spring, this routine will become law as South Korea embarks on a sweeping attempt to stem the tide of digital distraction in its schools.

The nationwide ban on smartphone use in primary and middle schools is aimed at addressing rising concerns over technology’s impact on young minds.

The legislation was passed by the National Assembly last month with broad bipartisan support, placing South Korea among a select group of countries, including France, Finland and China, that have taken legal steps to keep classrooms phone-free.

For many South Korean students, the new law formalises what has long been routine.

“In elementary and middle school, we gave our phones to the teacher first thing in the morning,” said Ryu, a second-year high school student in Paju. “So I don’t see what’s different. It feels like we’ve already been doing this.”