A Comparative Study of Legal Measures on Controlling Smartphone Usage in Educational Institutions: Thailand and Foreign Countries
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Abstract
This research aims to examine the concepts and theories underlying the regulation of smartphone use in educational institutions. It analyzes the challenges to smartphone control measures in Thai educational institutions, compares them with legal measures and policies in foreign countries, and proposes guidelines to improve legal frameworks for regulating smartphone use in schools. This research is a qualitative study based on the analysis of various documents, research reports, theses, and online data on smartphone regulation in Thai schools and on foreign laws. These include the United Kingdom's Education Act 1996 (subsequently amended by the Education Act 2011), Australia's Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic), and Singapore's policy under the Ministry of Education, Singapore (2025). The data were analyzed and compared to draw conclusions and make recommendations. The findings reveal that Thailand still lacks clear national policies and legislation to regulate smartphone use within educational institutions. The Ministry of Education, through the Office of the Basic Education Commission, has delegated authority to individual school administrators to formulate their own regulations. These rules are enforced in accordance with the Ministry of Education Regulations on Student Punishment B.E. 2548 (2005). Consequently, this approach lacks standardization and exposes teachers to potential civil and criminal lawsuits, resulting in ineffective smartphone control measures. This stands in contrast to the United Kingdom, Australia, and Singapore, which have clear, centralized policies and legal frameworks. Therefore, Thailand should urgently improve its legal measures to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of educational management.
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