Polish primary schools stand on the brink of a revolution that can change the face of education forever. The Sejm has started intensive work on the bill of introduction mandatory ban on mobile phones for children aged 6-14 during school classes. It is simply a proposal that inspires tremendous emotions – from the hope of a better focus to the fear of digital exclusion and enforcement problems. Will Polish students say goodbye to smartphones in schools in September 2025? The project, supported by the Polish 2050 party, has strong public support – until 84% of Poles advocated a ban. However, the road to its implementation is more complicated than it seems. The Ministry of Education warns against a false sense of solution to the problem, and the opposition points to serious regulatory gaps. This is not only a substance of law, but above all of applicable challenges that await parents, teachers and school principals.
A class revolution or a dead law? What the Parliament's task assumes
The draft amendment of the Law on Education, by the parliamentary club Poland 2050, introduces absolute ban on mobile phones and another communication devices in primary schools. As Mr Osmalak stressed during his first reading, "the point is that the school should be a place of learning, building relations and shaping social competences, alternatively than constantly utilizing social media." The intention is clear: cut off children from distractions. However, the mechanics of the ban raises serious doubts. The statutes of the individual schools would lay down detailed rules for the enforcement of restrictions following consultation with the parents' council and student council. Exceptions are provided – telephones could be utilized for educational or wellness purposes, but the task does not specify who and on what basis would decide. This is simply a key gap that can lead to chaos and unequal treatment of students. In the case of secondary schools, the ban would be voluntary, which further complicates the situation, creating disparities between a 14-year-old in simple school and a 15-year-old in advanced school. Mr Wiesław Różyński of the PSL-Third Way rightly noted that "there are no circumstantial enforcement mechanisms and clearly defined sanctions". Without this, the law can prove illusory.
Europe is already doing so. Poland will follow France and Italy?
Polish parliamentarians are not pioneers in this area. Many European countries have already introduced akin regulations, and their experiences are valuable lessons. France has banned the usage of telephones in primary and secondary schools since 2018. Italy went further, introducing a ban even for teaching purposes. The Netherlands has been planning akin solutions since 2024. What do these examples show? The experiences are mixed. In France, teachers study problems in enforcing the ban, especially in large urban schools where control is more difficult. Italian pedagogues complain about the deficiency of flexibility, indicating that telephones can be a valuable educational tool, especially during classes in abroad languages or computer science. On the another hand, French studies show affirmative effects: students talk more frequently during breaks, and teachers note better concentration during lessons. The problem is that akin analyses in Poland have not yet been carried out, making it hard to measure the real benefits and risks. Poland has a chance to learn from the mistakes and successes of others, but it must do so consciously and not copy the solution without analyzing the local context.
Ministry of Education and opposition warn. What about digital exclusion?
The position of the Ministry of Education may surprise supporters of a fast and extremist solution. Deputy Minister Paulina Piechna-Wyżekiewicz expressed scepticism towards the ban itself as a panacea for digital problems in schools. "A ban can give a false sense of solution to the problem. It is crucial to equip students with competences that let them to function safely and consciously in the digital world“The MEN typical argued. Since September 2025, the hotel announced the introduction of a fresh subject, "health education", to cover the issues of digital hygiene, network safety and addiction management. The Ministry besides draws attention to the peculiar needs of chronically sick students, for whom the telephone is frequently a therapy support device. The Citizens' Coalition, by the mouth of Dorota Loboda, the chair of the Subcommittee on Education Quality, focuses on dialog alternatively of top-down bans. KO proposes a gradual approach, focusing on the youngest children (class 1-3), where the problem of deficiency of self-control is greatest. On the another hand, the Left, represented by MP Dorothy Olko, warns against digital exclusion. "We request solutions that teach the conscious usage of devices, not only to destruct them," said Olko. The argument is serious: the complete isolation of children from technology can be counterproductive in a planet where digital competence is necessary. The left offers alternate solutions specified as digital hygiene classes and educational programs for parents.
Practical challenges for schools, parents and teachers
The introduction of the ban on smartphones in schools is not only a legal issue, but above all a logistical and social one. Schools will gotta address a number of problems that are not mentioned in the parliamentary debate. The first is infrastructure: where will students store phones for 8 hours a day? peculiar lockers are a cost not all facility has a budget. The alternate are class bags, but it raises questions about safety and work for theft or damage. The second problem is Communication with parents. So far, parents could contact their children directly; after the ban, all contacts will gotta go through the secretariat, which means additional burden on staff and possible delays. The 3rd problem is Health issues. Children with diabetes frequently usage glucose monitoring applications, and students with proceeding problems usage phones as support devices. How can we reconcile their needs with the general ban? The reactions of the pedagogical community are mixed. any teachers, like Anna, a mathematics teacher from Warsaw, hope for a better concentration of students: “Sometimes I feel that I compete with TikTok for the attention of children.” Others, like Marek, a 30-year-old educator, fear additional conflicts and enforcement problems. The top concerns of parents concern security: 67% of parents are afraid of losing direct contact with their child in crisis situations, although 58% admit that a school telephone is alternatively a distraction. Experts like Dr. hab. Anna Brzezińska (UW) and Dr. Tomasz Grzyb (addictive specialist), are divided, indicating both the benefits (self-regulation, social contacts) and the risks (delay of the problem, deficiency of education). Dr. Joanna Kowalska (APS) emphasizes that "to ban without education is like to learn to drive without a car – theoretically it sounds good, but in practice it does not prepare for reality".
When will the ban enter into force? Key months ahead
The draft amendment went to the Committee on Education, discipline and Youth, where it will be examined in detail. The current political state indicates that it is highly likely to be adopted, although it is likely in a much changed form. The ruling coalition is divided, which brings witness to turbulent discussions and the request for compromise. The likely script is prohibition for classes 1-3 or 1-6 only, with the anticipation of enlargement in the future. The version with a wide catalogue of exceptions and leaving considerable freedom to individual schools besides has a good chance. If the task is adopted, The earliest date of entry into force is September 2025. This would give schools time to prepare procedures and infrastructure. The Ministry of Education shall indicate that, in the event of the adoption of the Act, it shall draw up detailed guidelines for the institutions. The next fewer months will be crucial. The committee is planning public hearings with experts, representatives of the educational community and parent organisations. The experience of another countries, including the French study of 3 years of the ban, will besides be of large importance. Regardless of the final form of the bill, the debate has already shown that the problem of digital kid dependency is serious and requires systemic solutions. Whether they are bans, education or a combination of both approaches – this will be decided by the next months of parliamentary work.
How to prepare for change now?
- For parents: Talk to your kid about liable usage of the phone, set clear rules for utilizing devices at home, and consider alternate ways of contacting your kid during school hours.
- For schools: Start a discussion with parents' council and student council about current telephone problems. analyse the infrastructure and prepare procedures in case of dispute.
- For students: Learn to spend time without a phone, make communication skills face to face with your peers, and talk to your parents about your concerns.
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The urgent ban on smartphones in schools. Millions of students in Poland say goodbye to telephone calls in 2025?
