2026-01-18 18:15
publication
2026-01-18 18:15
The head of the Ministry of National Education, Barbara Nowacka, said on Thursday that the parliamentary bill on limiting the use of social media will be modeled on Australian regulations. We expect big tech to prevent children from using harmful content, she said.
Australia is the first country in the world to introduce an age restriction for users of social media platforms. Persons under 16 years of age cannot use, among others: from websites such as: Reddit, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X and YouTube. Technology companies that do not effectively implement the regulations may be fined up to the equivalent of EUR 28 million.
Civic Coalition Club is to prepare a parliamentary bill by the end of February limiting the use of social media by children and adolescents until they are 15 years old. This is an initiative of the Ministry of Education, KO MP Barbara Nowacka and KO MP Roman Giertych. The KO club's college has already given the green light to develop the project.
On Thursday in the Senate, journalists asked the head of the Ministry of National Education whether the planned regulations included a ban on access to social media platforms.
“We follow Australia's example,” she replied. – We expect that big tech will not allow children to use the harmful content available there – she noted.
She explained that it is to be “exactly what Australia has introduced since December – with the difference that we consider the age of 16 to be excessive.” In the ministry's opinion, the 15-year limit intended in Polish regulations is “sensible” and already sanctioned in the regulations.
Nowacka said that next Thursday the Sejm will hold a meeting of the Children and Youth Committee, during which the ministry will talk to non-governmental organizations about the proposals.
She pointed out that the topic “arouses a lot of emotions” and “there may be those who say that this is an attack on freedom.” But in her opinion, solutions are needed. – We see what is happening to the young generation through social media, where – from alienation, depression, the threat of hate – to suicidal content that they (young people – PAP) see there – said the minister.
In her opinion The solution to the problems related to the influence of social media platforms on young people is not to ban smartphones in schools. They were proposed in 2025 by the group of MPs from Poland 2050 – the Third Way. – I don't agree to half-measures – she said.
According to Barbara Nowacka, “it won't help, because children use applications – bad applications – after school, at home.”
When asked, why the project should be a parliamentary project and not a government one, she replied that “the topic is very broad and cannot be limited to the activities of one ministry.” She explained that it concerns areas related to digitalization, education, justice and the economy. Therefore, it was decided that “the fastest, most efficient and most inclusive way for social organizations and movements that work against hate” would be to prepare a parliamentary bill.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the banning of social media platforms for minors under 15 years of age. The Danish government also wants to introduce a ban, with minors aged 13-15 able to use the application with their parents' consent.
The Swedish government has commissioned experts to analyze whether and how to limit children's use of social media platforms. (PAP)
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