Lithuanian schools must implement mobile device usage rules

Lithuanian schools are now required to establish specific rules regarding the use of mobile phones and other electronic devices. Following amendments to the Law on Education, all general and pre-school education institutions must implement their own usage policies based on recommendations provided by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport and the Ministry of Health.

Rather than a uniform national ban, the law grants individual schools the autonomy to decide whether to prohibit, restrict, or allow exceptions for devices. This includes not only smartphones but also smartwatches, tablets, and laptops. The specific rules must be approved by school councils to ensure they reflect the needs of their particular community.

Data from the previous school year indicates that over half of schools had already prepared such regulations. Among those that had, 83 percent allowed device use only under teacher instruction for educational purposes, while 12 percent implemented a total ban. The Ministry has planned oversight to ensure compliance with these new legal requirements.