During a press conference in Olsztyn, Poland's Minister of Education, Barbara Nowacka, revealed that the ministry is finalizing significant legislative changes that will introduce a ban on cell phone usage in primary schools, effective September 1, 2026. This decision comes as part of ongoing efforts to develop a National Youth Strategy that seeks to incorporate findings from 'Youth Diagnosis 2026.' The strategy aims to be completed by the end of autumn, but some measures, like the phone ban, have been expedited due to rising concerns about children's internet dependency.

The anticipated legislation will prohibit students from using cell phones during lessons, with limited exceptions that rely on the discretion of teachers for educational purposes. Minister Nowacka emphasized that this ban is not just a precautionary measure but a necessary step responding to the alarming trends of addiction to the internet among children. The urgency of implementing this ban reflects a growing recognition of the challenges that technology poses to young people's focus and learning.

This announcement follows a conversation between Nowacka and Prime Minister Donald Tusk, indicating government support for the initiative. As the school year approaches, the initiative highlights significant shifts in educational policy aimed at fostering better environments for learning and mitigating distractions posed by smartphones in classroom settings.