Poland's government approved draft laws on June 2 to ban mobile phone use for children aged 7 to 15 in primary schools, covering lessons and breaks. The phone ban is expected to take effect on September 1, 2026, pending parliamentary and presidential approval [1, 2, 3].

Under the plan, schools would establish storage areas where students must deposit phones during the school day. Exceptions will apply for teachers, staff, and students with disabilities or special needs, such as medical conditions [1, 2, 3]. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said, “We propose a ban on cell phone use in primary schools during lessons and breaks ... We are convinced that parents and teachers should have such a tool.” He also acknowledged, “This is not a perfect solution, we have no illusions about that, but we must address this serious problem, which is addiction to phones and the internet.” [1, 3]

Alongside the school phone ban, the government approved a related bill requiring websites offering pornography to implement robust age verification systems to restrict children's access [1, 2, 3]. The law bans reliance on self-declarations, biometric data, or user tracking and mandates compliance with privacy laws [1, 2].

These measures respond to concerns over digital addiction, declining concentration, and online harms among young people [1, 2, 3]. Education Minister Barbara Nowacka also proposed banning children under 15 from social media access earlier this year to protect them online [1, 2].

Similar restrictions are in place or proposed in other countries. Italy banned phones in schools in 2024, South Korea enforced a phone ban during school hours in March 2026, and the UK introduced mandatory age verification for online pornography in 2019 [3]. The Netherlands, Australia, and Türkiye have also implemented comparable bans or rules on phones or social media in schools [1, 2, 3].

Tech companies, however, argue that parental controls and responsible use offer better solutions than outright bans, stressing smartphones’ educational and safety benefits [1, 2].

The phone ban will start from September 1, 2026, if the Polish parliament and president endorse the approved draft laws [1, 2, 3].