AI Digital Textbook Opposition Petition Emerges
Petitioner: "Majority of Parents Oppose"
"Ministry of Education Should at Least 'Postpone Introduction'"
As AI digital textbooks are set to be introduced starting next year, some parents are voicing opposition. They point out that increased dependence on digital devices could impair students' learning abilities and worsen their eye health.
According to a National Assembly public petition on the 1st, the petition titled "Petition to Postpone the Ministry of Education's 2025 AI Digital Textbook Introduction" surpassed 50,000 supporters on the 27th and was referred to the Education Committee. If a National Assembly petition gains more than 50,000 supporters within 30 days, it is referred to the relevant standing committee for review.
The petitioner, Mr. Kang, stated, "There is significant concern among parents, teachers, and education experts regarding the Ministry of Education's plan to introduce digital textbooks in 2025," adding, "For several years, we parents have been living through almost daily family conflicts caused by our children's excessive use of smart devices, conflicts that never existed before."
He continued, "We take some comfort, though not much, in knowing that our family is not alone in this, and with a near-desperate mindset, we continue this dangerous coexistence with smart devices," and questioned, "Is it acceptable to continue living passively by neglecting, giving up, or passively accepting this situation?"
A child looking at a smartphone. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Getty Images Bank]
He further pointed out, "Over the past decade of widespread smart device use, many neuroscientists, psychiatrists, and education experts have revealed serious side effects of smart device usage and have consistently publicized their harmfulness through various media," and asked, "In this situation, should schools, where students spend more than half of their day on average, also require the use of smart devices?"
Mr. Kang said, "Parents mostly oppose this, saying, 'We are already worried about the excessive time spent on smart devices, so we don't understand why textbooks also need to be digitalized,'" adding, "There is no precedent worldwide for fully digitalizing all textbooks like in our country. Although some subjects are planned for early introduction, the preparations are insufficient and the effectiveness is uncertain. Forcibly pushing this forward raises doubts about who this 'project' truly serves."
Finally, he emphasized, "If the Ministry of Education cannot completely cancel the 2025 AI digital textbook introduction plan, at least they should announce a 'postponement' and conduct more thorough reviews and research analyses. They should verify through objective and scientific processes whether full digital textbook use is a more effective educational method than using printed textbooks before reconsidering this policy."
'AI digital textbooks' refer to providing learning content via digital devices, with the Ministry of Education planning to support personalized learning by analyzing each student's learning level and pace. They will be initially introduced in math, English, information technology, and Korean (special education) subjects starting next year, with full expansion to other subjects from 2028. The applicable grades are elementary grades 3 and 4, middle school grade 1, high school (common and general elective subjects), and special education elementary grades 3 and 4 (Korean). However, it has not yet been decided whether traditional paper textbooks will be discontinued.
Meanwhile, opinions opposing AI digital textbooks continue to appear on mom cafes. Netizens commented, "No one knows what harmful effects digital textbooks might cause children. Even if the future is digitalized, education should nurture humanity," "Children already spend a lot of time watching media, so if textbooks also become digital, media time will increase and their eyesight might worsen," and "Smart devices negatively affect brain development, vision, physical and mental health, and children will become more distant from books," among other reactions.
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