No smartphones in schools? Expert: “It’s an escape from the problem”

As announced by the Ministry of Education, in July to the Sejm, a bill is to be sent to the school directors, giving school heads the opportunity to introduce a total ban on the use of smartphones by students. The regulations will probably come into force during the 2025/2026 school year.

– At the moment there is a provision in the act that the school in the statute defines the rules of using smartphones (…). We want the prohibition to be entered very clearly in this directory. Very often, school directors themselves say that if they had a strong statutory authorization, that they can introduce a full ban on using phones, it would make their lives very easier – said the deputy minister of education Katarzyna Lubnauer in the “Tłit” Tłit “” Tłit “program.

Meanwhile, as the expert notes, the introduction of such a ban does not solve anything.

– The draft new regulations provides for the possibility of introducing a ban on the use of mobile phones in schools. The intention seems right – concern for children’s well -being. But is the ban on the best response to the challenges of the era? And is he not leading us towards disproportionate restrictions? – says in an interview with “Wprost” dr Patryk Kuzior, assistant professor at the WSB Academy in Dąbrowa Górnicza.

The ban on using smartphones hits the constitution

According to the expert, the introduction of a ban violates the constitution.

– The ban interferes with the constitutional right to dispose of ownership (Article 64 of the Constitution). Of course – the freedoms and rights of the individual can be limited (Article 31 (3)), but only if they are necessary for public order, health protection, morality or rights of others. In this case, the legislator will probably refer to health or educational arguments. But limiting the right to own and use the phone must be proportional – especially since the smartphone today serves not only entertainment – says Dr. Patryk Kuzior.

As he notes, the phone is today a student’s contact and safety tool.

– Parents use location applications, SOS functions, parental control tools. The prohibition may make it difficult to use these functions or make your child not be able to have a phone at all. Therefore, you can raise an allegation of excessive interference in parents’ rights to raise children in accordance with their own beliefs (Article 48 of the Constitution) – he indicates.

The ban on using smartphones is an escape from upbringing

According to the expert, it is hard to resist the impression that the ban – regardless of his intentions – is essentially an expression of the school’s resignation from an educational role in favor of a control role.

– This is a symbolic “escape from the problem” towards an easy solution. Because the question is: what after school? The ban does not teach responsible use of technology – he will only replace upbringing. Young people will continue to use smartphones, but without reflection, dialogue, modeling patterns – says Dr. Kuzior.

Prohibition 2.0?

The expert notes that the ban on using smartphones is a bit like prohibition.

– Maybe it works on paper – but in practice? In a world where a smartphone is a tool of everyday life, a ban on using it can lead to the creation of a gray zone: hiding phones, using them in the toilet, during breaks, out of camera reach. Does the school intend to introduce mandatory searching of backpacks? Or maybe the scanning system at the entrance? The more unrealistic the ban, the greater the resistance. And the faster rupture of the bond between teachers and students – he states.

Expert: “The school is to be a space of trust, not oppression”

As Dr. Kuzior indicates, the introduction of this type of prohibition does not serve the school as an institution.

– The school should be a space for development, not prohibitions. Instead of treating smartphones as an enemy, it is worth teaching them to use with meaning – just as we teach the use of books, calculators or the Internet. Technology is not bad in itself. It can be bad with its non -reflective, uncontrolled use. And this drug is not a ban, but digital education, conversation culture, cooperation with parents – says the expert.

In his opinion, the solution, although convenient for the legislator, is not a panacea for school challenges of the 21st century.

– The ban on using smartphones in schools may seem a simple solution. But simplicity in social matters is rarely effective. This is not a ban, but wise upbringing and culture of digital responsibility are a response to contemporary challenges – he concludes.