Poland to Ban Phones in Schools, Tighten Online Pornography Access
Poland's New Measures to Protect Children in the Digital Age
Proposed Ban on Mobile Phones in Schools
WARSAW, June 2 (Reuters) - Poland wants to ban under-16s from using mobile phones in schools from September 1 and plans to introduce stricter age verification rules to access pornography, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Tuesday.
International Context and Comparisons
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 Proposed Legislation
The proposed bill would ban children aged 7-15 from using phones on school premises, including breaks between classes, and give schools legal bases for creating deposits to store phones.
Government Rationale and Statements
"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," Tusk said.
"We have a civilizational problem of addiction of virtually everyone, especially the youngest, to platforms, games, etc. We realize that this can have disastrous consequences for children's lives and for the country."
Stricter Age Verification for Online Pornography
A separate bill proposed by the minister for digital affairs would impose new obligations on websites offering pornography so as to restrict children's access.
Requirements for Age Verification Mechanisms
The age verification mechanism cannot be based on age declarations, biometric data, or data about the user's online activity but must be designed in accordance with privacy and personal data protection requirements, the government said earlier in a justification to the bill.
Potential Ban on Social Media for Children Under 15
In February, Education Minister Barbara Nowacka also outlined plans to ban children under 15 from using social media, opening the door to a potential clash with major U.S. tech firms.
Reactions from Technology Companies
Tech companies argue the focus should be on how devices are used rather than outright bans, with parental controls and other targeted restrictions available. They also point to benefits of smartphones for learning, communication and safety.
(Reporting by Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk and Pawel Florkiewicz; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
