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Global child safety: Age verification and school reforms

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2026-09-07 10:58 UTC → 2026-09-11 17:04 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Global efforts to protect children online have intensified, focusing on age verification, platform design, and school device bans. In the US, a Pew survey found strong adult support for banning social media for under-16s, while the WHO and France have called for mandatory, government-backed age verification to combat addictive algorithms. Legislative action regarding school device bans is accelerating. In Poland, the ‘Reforma26. Kompas ~~Jutra’~~ Jra’ reform is being implemented for the 2026/2027 school year. For primary school students and kindergartens, the reform introduces a ban on smartphones and similar personal electronic devices during lessons, breaks, and other school activities. Exceptions are permitted for health needs, such as glucose monitors, upon written request from parents. As the 2026/2027 school year commenced in Poland, the ‘Kompas Jutra’ reform also activated new dietary regulations on September 1. Aiming to promote a ‘planetary diet’ approach, the standards require increasing vegetables, fruits, and whole grains while reducing meat, salt, and sugar. Specific mandates include providing at least one plant-based legume meal per week without animal products, at least one portion of fish, and limiting meat dishes to twice per week. ~~Highly processed meats like sausage are no longer permitted as primary protein sources, and schools~~ Schools must also provide ~~vegetarian alternatives for any meal containing meat or fish.~~ vegetable-based soups at least twice a week. These regulations have sparked intense political ~~debate.~~ and parental dispute. Former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki criticized the changes as ‘ideological madness,’ ~~claiming~~ while some commentators viewed the move as a ~~lack of parental consultation.~~ political maneuver. Nutritionists, such as Dr. Arkadiusz Matras, noted the goal is to address childhood obesity and fiber deficiency. However, parents have expressed dissatisfaction with meal taste and rising costs, with some municipalities increasing meal prices by up to 20 PLN per day. In response, Minister of Education Barbara Nowacka defended the measures, stating they ~~underwent extensive social consultations and~~ aim to promote healthy habits. To ensure compliance, the State Sanitary Inspection has launched unannounced inspections of school canteens. In the Czech Republic, the 2026/2027 school year includes stricter rules for delaying attendance habits and ~~a ban on first graders repeating grades.~~ combat obesity.

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