Finance
Poland Plans to Ban Mobile Phone Use by under-16s in Schools
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 18, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 18, 2026
Quick Summary
Poland’s Education Minister Barbara Nowacka announced plans on March 18, 2026, to ban mobile phone use in primary schools (ages 7–15) starting September 1, 2026, as part of broader measures including a proposed ban on social media for those under 15.
Poland Announces School Mobile Phone Ban for Under-16s Starting in September
Overview of Poland's New School Mobile Phone Ban
Background and International Context
WARSAW, March 18 (Reuters) - Poland plans to ban the use of mobile phones by under-16s in schools from September 1, the education minister said on Wednesday, joining a growing list of countries moving to limit children's screen time and social media use.
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 Ban
Legislative Changes and Implementation Timeline
"We are currently finalising work on a major legislative change, crucial for schools, which will result in a ban on mobile phone use in primary schools from September 1, 2026," Barbara Nowacka told reporters.
Who Will Be Affected?
In Poland children aged 7-15 attend primary school.
Rationale Behind the Ban
Nowacka said using phones in school "cannot be the norm because we see how dependent children are on the internet".
Potential Future Measures
In February, Nowacka outlined plans to ban children under 15 from using social media, opening the door to a potential clash with major U.S. tech firms.
(Reporting by Alan CharlishEditing by Gareth Jones)
Key Takeaways
- •The mobile phone ban applies to all primary school students in Poland (ages 7–15) beginning September 1, 2026.
- •Poland joins several countries—such as the Netherlands, Italy, South Korea, France and Belgium—in restricting smartphone use in schools to protect concentration and behavior. (euronews.com)
- •A proposed social media ban for under‑15s, requiring age‑verification by platforms, could follow in early 2027, aligning Poland with similar moves in Australia and elsewhere. (yahoo.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Poland plans to ban mobile phone use by under-16s in schools
1When will the mobile phone ban for under-16s in Polish schools take effect?
The ban is planned to take effect from September 1, 2026.
2Which age group will be affected by the new mobile phone ban in Poland's schools?
Children aged 7-15, who attend primary school in Poland, will be affected.
3Why is Poland considering a school mobile phone ban?
The move addresses concerns about children's dependence on the internet and the impact on their concentration and behavior.
4Has Poland proposed any additional digital restrictions for children?
Yes, there are plans to ban children under 15 from using social media.
5Which other countries have implemented similar bans on mobile phones in schools?
The Netherlands, South Korea, and Italy have instituted similar bans.
