No more phones in primary schools. Poles were waiting for this government move

- We propose a ban on using mobile phones during classes and breaks in primary schools. This is not a perfect solution, we have no illusions, but we must solve this serious problem of telephone and Internet addiction, admitted the Prime Minister of the Polish government.

As Krzysztof Gawkowski, Minister of Digital Affairs, wrote on Twitter, the new regulations will give institutions greater freedom to limit the use of smartphones during classes.

- We want to support concentration, peer relationships and development of young people, not addiction to screens and endless notifications - declared Gawkowski.

The draft act adopted by the Council of Ministers provides for the introduction of a ban on the use of mobile phones and "other devices enabling distance communication or recording images and sounds - both on school premises and during educational activities outside school" by primary school students. The ban will also apply to non-public primary schools.

"This solution aims to ensure universal and equal protection of children against the negative effects of excessive use of digital technologies," the ministry emphasizes.

The exception will be situations in which the device is used with the teacher's consent and is used to implement the curriculum, check knowledge or contact a parent in an emergency situation. Other exceptions to the rule include a student's periodic consent from the school principal due to health, disability or special needs, as well as threats to life, health or property.

The act is planned to enter into force on September 1, 2026.

The project, according to the Ministry of Education, will now be submitted to the Sejm of the Republic of Poland.

The proposed regulations constitute an element of a broader, coherent state educational policy. At the same time, from September 1, 2026, content on digital hygiene and media education will be strengthened in schools - both as part of changes to the core curriculum (Compass of Tomorrow) and in connection with the introduction of the compulsory subject health education. These activities complement each other and support the safe and responsible development of students in the environment of new technologies - explains the Ministry of National Education.

Research shows that Poles support a ban on the use of smartphones in primary schools. However, it should be remembered that this is only one of the elements that will help in the fight against the "serious problem".

A break from phones at school may be good, but if a young person sees no alternative to screens outside the school walls, this lesson will probably not be of much use. The example often comes from above, and here the responsibility falls on the caregivers. You cannot count on the school to cope alone.

As Krzysztof Gawkowski wrote, the government also adopted a package of laws that "actually strengthen the protection of children on the Internet."

The idea is to limit minors' access to online pornography, as well as to remove illegal content more quickly.

- Today, the average age of a child's first contact with pornography in Poland is less than 11 years. We cannot remain indifferent to this. We introduce effective and fully anonymous age verification, without violating privacy. The state will not know what websites citizens visit. The websites will not receive users' personal data. We only confirm age of majority, nothing more. At the same time, we are strengthening the fight against illegal content on the Internet. Pedophilic materials, attempts at child seduction, fraud and identity theft will be blocked more quickly, and decisions will be made within short deadlines and under full control of the courts. The Internet will not be a space of impunity for criminals, Gawkowski emphasized.