Croatia has decided to completely ban mobile phones in schools. It seems that almost everyone supports this prohibition, which will be voted on in two months – including the government, the opposition, parents, and, judging by statements, even the children.
It appears that actions to curb the negative effects of the Internet are underway in almost all countries around the world. For example, the European Union has adopted a law requiring large platforms like Meta, TikTok, and X to implement restrictions on addictive algorithms.
“On TikTok, I don’t think users even notice what they’re looking at; the content just keeps spinning. Of course, we absorb it constantly, turning into zombies who only consume information. We have no control over it, and somehow, it shapes us later”.
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perspektiva-sarajevo-film-festival/32617958.html
France has banned cell phones in primary and junior high schools to reduce distraction and addiction. Germany is educating children and parents about digital literacy and addiction prevention. Italy has established an observatory for children’s digital health, monitoring the impact of social networks and games on both mental health and learning.
“Communication among peers is increasingly poor. Social networks influence it heavily, and more and more, we communicate mainly through messages. We don’t know how to express ourselves properly, our vocabulary is very poor.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDl1k2p9baM
China has limited video game playing time for minors to three hours per week and banned “algorithmic entrainment.” The subject of “digital hygiene” has been introduced in schools. Internet and video game addiction treatment clinics already exist in South Korea, where children under 16 have limited Internet access. In the United States, stricter regulations against the “predatory design” of apps – such as endless scrolling and push notifications – are under consideration, and lawsuits have been filed against companies like Meta and TikTok for creating addictive mechanisms. Japan is implementing “digital fasting,” while Finland, Canada, and Australia have introduced school programs teaching children to use the Internet critically
According to young participants of PERSPEKTIVA, one consequence of addiction is the promotion of misguided value systems.
“I want to point out that a deeply flawed system of values affects all generations, even in elementary schools, where how a student dresses is valued more than their grades, and students can be discriminated against simply for having a high average. This is completely wrong”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov_TfaZ9zaY
In the region, in countries like Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, national strategies exist, but concrete actions at the state level are still lacking. In Montenegro, the decision to ban cell phones in schools was made in February 2025, but there is no information on how many schools are implementing it. A similar law was passed in North Macedonia a month ago. Kosovo introduced guidelines to enforce a school ban seven years ago, but they are not being implemented.
While states take steps to protect children from addiction, artificial intelligence has entered the technological market. How long will it take for countries to limit the negative impact of this new technology?
