Studies and regulations across Europe show a growing trend to limit smartphone use in schools due to negative impacts on well-being and focus.
🔗 Read the article on wyborcza.pl
[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]
A large-scale experiment conducted by Austrian public television ORF in early 2026, involving about 46,000 students from Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and South Tyrol living without mobile phones for three weeks, showed positive results: depressive symptoms decreased by 15%, sleep problems reduced by over 20%, and overall well-being increased by approximately 18%. This trend aligns with a growing movement across Europe to restrict smartphone use in schools. In Poland, new regulations are set to begin on September 1st, banning phones and similar devices in schools during lessons and breaks, with exceptions for health or urgent parental contact. While some support these digital detox measures, others argue that education should focus on responsible technology use rather than outright bans, pointing out that the issue often originates at home. International examples show varied approaches: Italy extended bans to secondary schools; Austria extends restrictions to school trips; and Greece has implemented strict penalties for misuse. Globally, concerns are rising over social media addiction, leading Australia to ban social media accounts for those under 16 in late 2025, prompting calls for a “digital age of consent” across Europe. Experts caution that while bans show promise, they may not be the sole solution, as issues like digital dependency and cyberbullying persist beyond simple device restrictions.
