The Civic Coalition, in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education, has presented the assumptions of a draft law limiting children's access to social media. The proposed regulations envision introducing an age threshold of 15 and strict age verification requirements for digital platforms. The initiative is a response to growing mental health problems among youth and reports about the harmful influence of algorithms on the development of the youngest internet users.

Minimum user age

The draft proposes introducing an age barrier of 15 for independent use of social media.

Age verification

Technology platforms will be obligated to implement effective mechanisms for checking the age of their users.

Phones in schools

Concurrently, a ban on using mobile phones during school lessons is planned to be formalized.

The Civic Coalition has presented the long-awaited assumptions of a draft law set to radically change the digital reality of Polish teenagers. According to the proposal from the Ministry of National Education, children under the age of 15 will be prohibited from using social media platforms without explicit parental consent or face a total access ban, depending on the final shape of the regulations. The education ministry emphasizes that the current situation is dramatic, which is confirmed by data on the deteriorating mental state of youth and addiction to the mechanisms of Big Tech. Poland is not alone in its efforts; similar steps have already been taken by the governments of Australia and France, aiming to protect minors from dangerous content and cyberbullying. The draft envisages imposing an obligation on tech giants to implement rigorous user age verification methods. Experts indicate this could lead to a serious dispute with American corporations, for whom the Polish market is a significant area of operation. Additionally, the head of the education ministry suggested that the changes will also include a ban on using mobile phones during school lessons, which is intended to promote concentration and building peer relationships in the real world. The new regulations are set to come into force in 2027, giving platforms time to adapt their technical systems. „Chatbot nie zastąpi rodzica ani przyjaciela.” (A chatbot cannot replace a parent or a friend.) — Minister of National Education The debate over the draft is stirring emotions among both parents and the tech industry. While social organizations praise the attempt to protect children, skeptics point to difficulties in law enforcement and the risk of privacy violations during identity verification. The government argues, however, that protecting public health outweighs the commercial interests of technology companies. The draft is intended to be a comprehensive response to the challenges of the digital age, where algorithms are designed to maximize screen time at the expense of user well-being. 15 lat — is the proposed age limit for social media access

Perspektywy mediów: Emphasizing mental health protection and corporate responsibility for harmful algorithms. Highlighting difficulties in enforcing the ban and concerns about internet freedom and privacy.

Mentioned People

  • Barbara Nowacka — Minister of National Education, promoting changes in minors' access to technology.