The Czech government is moving forward with a legislative proposal that aims to prohibit children from using mobile phones in schools, specifically targeting kindergartens, primary schools, and lower grades of multi-year gymnasiums. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš is championing this initiative, which could be implemented as early as the 2027/2028 academic year.
Education Minister Robert Plaga stated that the ban would apply during both lessons and breaks. However, the legislation includes exceptions for health reasons, for students with special educational needs, and when devices are directly used for educational purposes.
The proposed law would formally empower schools to require students to leave their phones in designated areas. If students violate this ban, their devices could be temporarily confiscated, but they must be returned by the end of the school day.
For secondary and higher education institutions, existing regulations will remain unchanged, allowing them to set their own policies regarding mobile phone usage. According to the Ministry of Education, 93% of schools in the Czech Republic already impose their own restrictions on mobile phone use.
The initiative has sparked debate among experts. Jiří Horaček, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, supports the ban, arguing that social media adversely affects children’s mental health and that regulation is necessary as youth may struggle to cope with technological pressures.
Conversely, internet safety expert Kamil Kopecký views the law as unnecessary. He points out that school directors already possess the authority to limit phone usage without a specific law, and the responsibility for enforcing these rules ultimately falls on teachers.
Children’s Ombudsman Martin Beneš has also expressed opposition to the initiative. Concerns regarding the effectiveness of a total ban have been raised by researchers from Masaryk University. Their analysis indicates that restrictions on mobile phones do not lead to improved academic outcomes or protect children from cyberbullying or online addiction.
Co-author of the study, Ivan Černický, noted that students in schools with mobile phone bans exhibited similar levels of online addiction symptoms and experiences of cyberbullying as their peers in schools without such restrictions. The researchers recommend avoiding blanket bans and allowing teachers the discretion to manage mobile phone use.
The Czech government is considering a ban on mobile phone usage in schools for younger students, a move that has ignited a debate among experts regarding its necessity and effectiveness. While some advocate for the ban citing mental health concerns, others argue that existing regulations are sufficient and that total prohibitions may not yield the desired educational benefits.