Zagreb to ban mobile phones in primary schools

The City of Zagreb has issued a recommendation for primary schools to prohibit the use of mobile phones during school hours, covering both lessons and breaks.

The decision is based on expert analysis carried out by the City’s Commission for the Prevention of Drug Abuse and Other Addictions, supported by surveys conducted among pupils and staff in Zagreb schools.

Deputy Mayor Danijela Dolenec explained the reasoning behind the move, highlighting the impact of excessive phone use on young people.

“Numerous studies point to multiple negative effects of mobile phone use: from mental health problems, which should be our top priority, to poor sleep, reduced concentration, disrupted family relationships, and exposure to online violence and cyberbullying. All of this shows that excessive use of phones at a young age can seriously affect child development,” Dolenec said.

Under the recommendation, schools are expected to include the ban in their official rulebooks, which are adopted by school boards after consultation with teachers, parents, and pupils.

These rulebooks will outline when phones can and cannot be used, how violations will be handled, and what exceptions may apply. Exemptions are foreseen primarily for health-related needs.

While some Zagreb schools already have similar rules in place, the City is now encouraging all schools to regulate the issue formally.

A 2022 study by the Institute for Social Research in Zagreb, involving more than 1,700 teachers and over 7,500 pupils in Croatia, showed that around 85% of teachers support banning mobile phones in schools.

“Expert opinions are almost unanimous that schools should be phone-free zones. We know this measure alone cannot solve every problem linked to children’s overuse of smartphones, but we believe it is an important step in the right direction and we hope schools will follow the recommendation. We will provide them with full support,” Dolenec concluded.