A report titled 'Youth Diagnosis 2026', commissioned by the Polish Ministry of Education, reveals troubling statistics about the mental health and technology-related habits of young people. Among the findings, 71% of individuals aged 15 to 29 feel addicted to their phones, while a shocking 17% of teenagers aged 13 to 17 reported having self-harmed in the past year. Furthermore, the report indicates that 60% of teenagers live in a state of chronic stress and fatigue, and 44% struggle to distinguish truth from falsehood. Additionally, 47% of youths aged 13 to 16 encounter harmful online content, raising significant concerns about their well-being.

In response to these alarming findings, the Polish Ministry of Education is working on a project to implement a ban on mobile phone use in primary schools. This move is seen as a necessary step to combat the digital addiction identified in the report and to foster a healthier learning environment for students. The proposed law stipulates that school directors in non-public institutions and secondary schools would have the authority to decide on the implementation of this ban. If approved, the restriction would take effect on September 1, coinciding with the start of the new school year 2026/27.

The government aims to address the mental health crisis among young people by eliminating distractions that mobile phones present in the classroom. Given the extensive dependence on mobile devices reported, this initiative could potentially foster better focus and engagement among students. The details of this initiative are expected to be discussed further, and the government is set to add the proposal to its work agenda soon, as reported by RMF FM.