WARSAW, Poland — The Polish government has announced plans to ban mobile phone use in primary schools and introduce stricter age-verification measures for online pornography as part of a broader effort to address growing concerns over children’s digital habits.
Okay News reports that Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the proposed legislation would prohibit children aged 7 to 15 from using mobile phones on school grounds, including during class breaks. Schools would also be given legal authority to create designated storage areas for students’ devices.
Tusk said the government believes excessive use of digital platforms, mobile games, and social media has become a serious societal issue, particularly among young people. According to the proposal, the restrictions could take effect from September 1 if approved by lawmakers.
The move follows similar policies adopted in several countries, including the Netherlands, Italy, and South Korea, where authorities have cited concerns about classroom distractions, student behavior, and declining concentration levels linked to smartphone use.
In a separate initiative, Poland’s Ministry of Digital Affairs is seeking tighter controls on access to online pornography. The proposed rules would require websites hosting adult content to implement stronger age-verification systems designed to prevent minors from gaining access.
Officials said the verification process must comply with privacy and data-protection laws and cannot rely solely on self-declared ages, biometric information, or monitoring users’ online activity.
The latest proposals come months after Education Minister Barbara Nowacka outlined plans to restrict social media access for children under 15. The measures could increase scrutiny of major technology companies, many of which argue that parental controls and responsible device use are more effective than outright bans.
