WARSAW, March 18 (Reuters) - Poland plans to ban the use of mobile phones by under-16s in schools from September 1, the education minister said on Wednesday, joining a growing list of countries moving
Poland Announces School Mobile Phone Ban for Under-16s Starting in September
Overview of Poland's New School Mobile Phone Ban
Background and International Context
WARSAW, March 18 (Reuters) - Poland plans to ban the use of mobile phones by under-16s in schools from September 1, the education minister said on Wednesday, joining a growing list of countries moving to limit children's screen time and social media use.
Countries including the Netherlands, South Korea and Italy have banned smartphones in schools due to concerns over their impact on concentration and behaviour. Others have banned - or are considering banning - children's access to social media.
Details of the Ban
Legislative Changes and Implementation Timeline
"We are currently finalising work on a major legislative change, crucial for schools, which will result in a ban on mobile phone use in primary schools from September 1, 2026," Barbara Nowacka told reporters.
Who Will Be Affected?
In Poland children aged 7-15 attend primary school.
Rationale Behind the Ban
Nowacka said using phones in school "cannot be the norm because we see how dependent children are on the internet".
Potential Future Measures
In February, Nowacka outlined plans to ban children under 15 from using social media, opening the door to a potential clash with major U.S. tech firms.
(Reporting by Alan CharlishEditing by Gareth Jones)
