School Mobile Phone Ban Proposals in Serbia and Czech Republic

Serbia's Ombudsman has drafted a law amendment that would prohibit students from using mobile phones at any time while on school premises, including recess. Phones would have to be stored in lockers or designated compartments and retrieved only after classes end, with the aim of reducing classroom disruptions, cyber‑bullying and improving focus.

In the Czech Republic, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and Education Minister Robert Plaga are pushing a legislative amendment that could ban mobile phone use in primary and lower secondary schools from 2027. The proposal allows limited exemptions for health or special‑education needs and outlines enforcement measures such as storing devices in lockers or keeping them turned off. Both initiatives have sparked debate among educators, parents and experts about safety, communication needs and the practicality of a total ban.