Prohibition of Smartphones in Schools by Law? "Discrimination" VS "Safety Device" [What Do You Think]

[Financial News]  Concerns have been raised as a bill to prohibit the use of smartphones in schools passed the National Assembly Standing Committee.

Organizations such as Jeonbuk Pyeonghwa Wa Inkwon Yeondae and 9 other groups recently issued a statement pointing out that "students can limit smartphone use through promises and rules made according to scope and procedure, and the process of self-restraint and participation in class is also democratic education."

They further pointed out that "prohibiting through law contradicts the standards of human rights and the constitution," and "imposing restrictions only on students at the school site is clearly discrimination that violates the right to equality. Making the school a place of oppression of fundamental rights itself is an outdated idea that the older generation can arbitrarily restrict students."

Some teachers' organizations cited incidents where teachers who pointed out smartphone use were assaulted as grounds for the necessity of the bill. In response, they said, "Smartphone use and violence are merely ways that the vulnerabilities of members are exposed, not the cause," and emphasized that "it should be resolved through democracy and education, not through uniform restrictions by law."

Previously, the Jeonbuk Teachers' Union welcomed the amendment by citing the example, saying "in a reality where teachers' safety is threatened, the amendment is the minimum safety device to exercise educational rights."

Additionally, they expressed concern about the provision that excludes students with special education needs, adding that "as confirmed in the illegal recording incident involving the teacher of a webtoon artist's child, it is highly likely to lead to issues of infringement on educational activities."

On the 8th, the National Assembly Education Committee passed a partial amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which aims to prohibit the use of smart devices during students' classes and, if necessary, restrict their use and possession on campus.

Recently, the Standing Committee passed it for reasons such as the fact that legislation to restrict the use of smart devices is being implemented in various countries due to the issue of SNS addiction.


gaa1003@fnnews.com An Gaeul Reporter