Poland Approves School Phone Ban and Adult Content Age Verification Measures
Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government has cleared bills to restrict device use for students under 16 and mandate age checks for adult websites, pending final parliamentary and presidential sign-off.
The Polish government has approved a legislative package aimed at curbing digital addiction among minors and enhancing online safety, including a proposed ban on mobile phones and smartwatches in schools. The measure, championed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, prohibits students under the age of 16 from using devices during classes, breaks and post-class activities. While the government has cleared the bills, they remain subject to approval by the Polish parliament and President Karol Nawrocki before becoming law.
Under the proposed regulations, students would be required to store their devices in designated locations provided by schools for the duration of the school day. Exceptions are carved out for teachers, school staff, and students with specific medical conditions or disabilities, such as those requiring continuous blood sugar monitoring. Additionally, students would retain the ability to use devices in genuine emergency situations.
Tusk acknowledged the complexity of the issue, stating that the proposal is not a perfect solution but a necessary step to address the serious problem of phone and internet addiction. The government’s stance aligns with a growing international trend. Italy introduced a similar ban in 2024, later extending it to high school students, while South Korea enforced a ban on student phone use during school hours starting in March of this year.
Research from the Netherlands suggests that such restrictions can yield tangible benefits, with studies indicating that banning phones in classrooms improves student concentration and enhances the overall social environment. If passed, the Polish measure would take effect on 1 September, coinciding with the start of the next school year.
In a separate but related legislative move, the Polish government also approved a bill mandating age verification systems for websites providing adult content. This policy mirrors frameworks established in the United Kingdom, which became the first country to require such verification for online pornography in 2019. The measure follows similar implementations in other regions and US states aimed at protecting minors from inappropriate online material.
