South Korean student files petition against school over cellphone restriction

A South Korean high school student has filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, alleging that his human rights are being violated by the boarding school’s stringent cellphone restrictions.

The student, whose identity has been withheld, attended an unidentified school in Seoul’s North Gyeongsang Province.

According to the kid, the school has outlawed cell phones and other electronic gadgets not only during regular class hours but also during after-school hours within dorm rooms.

The Korean National Human Rights Commission declared on Wednesday that prohibiting high school students from using cellphones and other electronic gadgets in dormitory rooms violates their human rights.

The group recommended that the school’s administration lift the present restriction on on-campus wireless connection and change the school’s dormitory management guidelines.

It accepted that the school had reason to restrict cellphone use within the building because it could create disruption to teachers and other students.

Schools banning mobile phones for dorm time other than scheduled academic hours, according to the panel, is unreasonable and over the limit.

“Completely banning cellphone usage even during dormitory life violates the principle of proportionality, which violates freedom of general behaviour and freedom of communication,” the commission said.

The watchdog also stated that imposing too many restrictions violates students’ rights to seek happiness through information and interests.