Poland to ban mobile phones in schools for under-16s

Poland is pressing ahead with plans to restrict children's digital access, announcing a ban on mobile phone use by under-16s in schools with effect from 1 September 2026.

The move places Poland among a growing number of European nations seeking to curtail children's exposure to smartphones and social media.

A Europe-wide shift in digital policy

Several countries across Europe have been taking steps to rein in children's use of social media and mobile devices, following Australia's landmark decision in December last year to introduce a world-first ban on social media use for under-16s.

The Netherlands, South Korea, and Italy have all introduced restrictions on smartphones in schools, citing concerns over the harmful impact on children's behaviour and wellbeing.

Poland to ban mobile phones in schools to restrict access to pornography

Sweden has also been examining the case for imposing age restrictions on social media access.

"The reasons for introducing an age limit nevertheless outweigh the benefits of continued free access to this type of media," Swedish investigator Lisa Englund Krafft told a news conference alongside Social Affairs and Public Health Minister Jakob Forssmed.

She added that any ban could be structured so that platform companies bear responsibility for age verification.

Currently in Sweden, children must obtain parental consent to create social media accounts once they reach the age of 13. Minister Forssmed struck a particularly urgent tone on the matter.

"We are losing an entire generation to endless scrolling," he told the press conference. "Screens and social media and their impact on the health of children and young people is one of the biggest challenges of our time."

Norway also eyes social media legislation

Norway's government announced in April that it intends to submit a parliamentary bill by the end of the year that would ban social media use for children under 16, adding further momentum to the European push for tighter digital restrictions.

Poland's broader digital restrictions for children

In February, Polish Education Minister Barbara Nowacka outlined proposals to ban children under 15 from using social media — a measure that could put the government on a collision course with major US technology firms.

The Polish government has stated that the measures are designed to improve child online safety and reduce exposure to harmful digital content.

In its formal justification for the mobile phone ban, the Polish government stipulated that age verification mechanisms must not rely on age declarations, biometric data, or information about a user's online activity, and must instead be designed in full compliance with privacy and personal data protection requirements.

Tech industry pushback

Technology companies have pushed back against outright bans, arguing that the focus ought to be on how devices are used rather than sweeping prohibitions.

Industry representatives point to parental controls and other targeted measures as more proportionate alternatives, whilst also highlighting the educational, communicative, and safety benefits that smartphones can provide for young people.