[Korea Social Trends Series] Part 3: Digital Device Addiction and Changes in Education

When people think of Korea, they often imagine high-speed internet, cutting-edge smartphones, and students studying late into the night. These images are not wrong—Korea has one of the fastest rates of technology adoption in the world, and education has always been a top priority for families. But when these two realities collide, challenges emerge. The widespread use of digital devices, particularly among the young, has sparked concerns about digital addiction and forced schools, parents, and policymakers to rethink how education should adapt in the digital age.

1. Korea’s Digital Landscape
Korea is one of the most wired societies in the world. Over 95% of Koreans own a smartphone, and children often receive their first device before the age of 10. Internet penetration is nearly universal, and high-speed 5G networks blanket the country. This environment creates an ecosystem where digital devices are not just tools but a central part of daily life. Kids use tablets for learning, teenagers rely on smartphones for social interaction, and adults manage everything from banking to grocery shopping online. This digital convenience, however, comes at a cost: the line between healthy use and dependency is increasingly blurred.

2. Signs of Digital Addiction
In Korea, the term “스마트폰 중독” (smartphone addiction) is widely recognized. Government surveys estimate that over 20% of teenagers are at risk of smartphone addiction, defined by excessive use that interferes with sleep, academics, and mental health. Symptoms include anxiety when separated from a device, difficulty concentrating without constant digital stimulation, and disrupted social interactions in the offline world. For example, teachers report students sneaking phones under desks during class, while parents describe children refusing to attend family meals without their devices. Internet gaming is also a major factor. Korea has a globally renowned gaming culture, but this has led to cases where young people spend entire nights gaming, sometimes to the detriment of health and schooling.

3. Impact on Education
The effects on education are profound. On one hand, digital devices provide powerful tools for learning. Many Korean schools use tablets and smartboards, and students can access vast amounts of information online. During the COVID-19 pandemic, digital platforms allowed education to continue almost seamlessly. Yet the downside is constant distraction. Teachers report that students struggle with shorter attention spans, preferring quick bursts of online content over sustained reading or problem-solving.
To address this, the Korean Ministry of Education recently announced a new policy to ban smartphones and certain digital devices inside classrooms starting in 2026. The decision reflects concerns that constant device use undermines concentration, academic performance, and social development. Exceptions will be made for students with disabilities or for controlled educational purposes, but the general ban has sparked national debate. Supporters argue that removing devices will improve focus, while critics worry it may limit students’ ability to build digital literacy and self-control.

4. Real-Life Examples
For instance, consider a high school student in Seoul. She spends her mornings attending classes, but during breaks, she and her friends scroll TikTok and Instagram. At night, she watches YouTube tutorials while doing homework, but often gets distracted by unrelated videos. Her parents worry about her sleep patterns, as she often stays up past midnight chatting online. Teachers, meanwhile, notice her difficulty in focusing on longer tasks. This snapshot is typical of many Korean students today.
Contrast this with a rural elementary school: teachers there have tried to integrate digital learning apps, but they struggle with balancing device use. Some children benefit from interactive learning, while others become restless when the app ends and immediately want to switch to games. These examples show that the challenge is not only about access but about how devices reshape behavior.

5. Global Comparisons
Korea is not alone in facing this problem. In the United States, concerns about screen time and its effects on children’s mental health have led to widespread debates, though policies remain fragmented. In France, smartphones are banned in schools up to age 15, reflecting a more restrictive approach. Japan also faces issues with gaming addiction, with government agencies tracking the phenomenon closely. What makes Korea stand out is the intensity of device usage combined with the pressure of a hyper-competitive education system. In a culture where academic success is seen as the gateway to future opportunity, distractions from devices are viewed with heightened alarm.

6. The Role of Parents and Society
Parents in Korea find themselves in a dilemma. On one hand, they recognize the risks of overuse. On the other, they rely on digital tools for their children’s education and safety. Many use parental control apps to limit screen time, but children often find ways around them. Some families implement “digital curfews,” requiring devices to be turned off after a certain hour, while others create tech-free zones like the dinner table. Community centers and counseling programs also offer support for children flagged as at-risk of digital addiction, though demand often outstrips supply.

7. Opportunities in Education Technology
Interestingly, the problem of digital addiction is also fueling innovation in education. Korean ed-tech companies are developing platforms designed to encourage healthy device use, such as apps that reward students for time spent focusing without distraction. Others promote mindfulness and guided study sessions. Policymakers are also experimenting with “blended learning” models, where digital tools supplement but do not dominate the classroom. If successful, Korea could pioneer strategies that balance the benefits of technology with the need for discipline and focus.

8. Looking Ahead
The question for Korea is not whether to embrace digital technology in education—it already has, and the benefits are undeniable—but how to manage its side effects. As society ages and digital natives become the dominant generation, solutions will need to evolve. This might include curriculum reforms, better teacher training, and more robust counseling systems. It may also involve cultural shifts, such as redefining what “healthy digital use” means in a country where being constantly online is the norm.

Editor’s Note
Korea’s experience with digital device addiction highlights the paradox of modern progress. The same tools that make education more accessible and interactive also threaten to undermine focus and well-being. The government’s decision to ban smartphones in classrooms is bold, but it raises broader questions about how to prepare young people for a digital future while teaching them balance and restraint. For foreign readers, Korea’s case offers a window into the universal challenge of reconciling innovation with human limits. It is not only about Korea’s schools but about how societies everywhere will adapt to a world where screens are inseparable from daily life.