Poland Bans Phones in Schools

(MENAFN) Poland's government moved decisively on Tuesday to shield children from the dangers of the digital world, greenlighting a sweeping package of draft legislation that bans cellphone use in primary schools and imposes stringent age-verification requirements on pornographic websites.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk framed the measures as a direct response to mounting alarm over digital addiction, deteriorating concentration levels among young people, and unchecked exposure to harmful online material.

Under the proposed ban, children between the ages of 7 and 15 would be barred from using mobile devices anywhere on primary school grounds — classrooms and break periods alike. Schools would additionally gain a formal legal basis to establish secure storage facilities where students could deposit their devices at the start of each school day. Pending parliamentary approval, both measures are scheduled to take effect this coming September.

The legislative push follows an extended internal debate within Poland's ruling coalition over the deepening influence of smartphones and social media on children's mental and developmental well-being. Education Minister Barbara Nowacka, who first floated the school phone ban earlier this year, has simultaneously championed parallel proposals to restrict children under 15 from accessing social media platforms.

A second bill passed by the cabinet would compel pornographic websites to deploy robust age-verification mechanisms — explicitly ruling out simple self-declarations, biometric scanning, or behavioral tracking as acceptable methods, while mandating full compliance with privacy and personal data protection standards.

The twin bills place Poland alongside a rapidly expanding group of nations confronting the same challenge. Similar restrictions have already been introduced or are actively under consideration in Türkiye, the Netherlands, Italy, South Korea, and Australia, all grappling with documented concerns over shortened attention spans, deteriorating mental health, and child safety in digital spaces.

Proponents of the legislation argue it equips parents and educators with meaningful, enforceable tools to combat digital dependency in younger generations. Opponents — among them several technology companies — counter that outright prohibition misses the point, advocating instead for frameworks built around responsible use and parental controls, and citing the educational and personal safety advantages that smartphones can provide.

The government signaled Tuesday that the current package is unlikely to be its last word on the matter, with further legislation targeting children's online activity expected to follow in the months ahead.

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