South Korea has passed a bill to ban the use of mobile phones and other digital devices in school classrooms nationwide, amid growing concerns about the effect of social media on young people.

The ban, approved on Wednesday and set to take effect in March next year, makes South Korea the latest country to impose restrictions on smartphone and social media use for minors.

The country is among the world's most digitally connected nations, with 99% of South Koreans online and 98% owning a smartphone, according to the US-based Pew Research Centre.

This is the highest rate among the 27 countries the centre examined in 2022 and 2023.

The law enforcing the ban received backing from both sides of parliament in Wednesday's vote.

"Our youth's addiction to social media is at a serious level now,

See Full Page