Gyeonggi councillor proposes letting schools restrict social media on school devices and networks

Gyeonggi Provincial Council published a draft ordinance on 6 November 2026 on managing students' use of social networking services in schools. Seoul Economic TV reports that Ahn Gwang-ryul, the Democratic Party group leader, is due to sponsor it. Schools could set rules on social media time and methods in their school regulations, and could restrict access on school-provided tablets and the school internet network. Students' own devices also fall within its scope. The report lists exceptions for education, health and emergencies, and says any management program may not collect students' account details or chat content. After a public comment period, the council is expected to consider the draft at its regular session, which runs to 17 December. The report cites last year's survey placing 43% of adolescents in the at-risk group for smartphone over-dependence, about twice the overall average, and notes that in-class device use has been banned in principle since March.

Most school phone rules regulate the device. This one works through the school's own network and builds a privacy limit into the monitoring. The report's headline calls it a nationwide first, but neither the article nor any other source read supports that. The draft has not yet been introduced or passed.