The Minns Labor government has announced that starting from October 9, students in New South Wales (NSW) public high schools must have their mobile phones turned off and out of sight. This ban on phone use will apply during class, recess, and lunch, and schools will have the authority to determine how they enforce it and respond to any violations. However, students will still be allowed to carry their phones while traveling to and from school. The state government believes that this ban will complement the ban in public primary schools implemented by the former Liberal National government and will help improve classroom environments and student outcomes.
According to Education and Early Learning Minister Prue Car, the ban will reduce distractions and cyberbullying, allowing students to focus on their studies. She expressed confidence in the measure, citing feedback from schools that have already implemented phone bans. Most schools have chosen cost-effective options such as keeping phones in lockers or ensuring they are turned off and out of sight. However, principals and teachers can still authorize exemptions for specific purposes, such as monitoring blood sugar levels for students with diabetes.
Relieving Principal Linda Henry of Ashfield Boys High expressed that students are relieved that their phones will be locked away. She believes that this will help students focus on learning and interacting with their friends, as mobile phone use tends to be a habit and a distraction. Premier Chris Minns highlighted the decline in test scores in recent years and emphasized the need for young people to focus on their schoolwork without the constant distraction of their phones.
The ban on mobile phones in schools is not limited to NSW. Other Australian states such as South Australia, the Northern Territory, Victoria, and Western Australia have already implemented similar bans. Queensland will introduce the ban next year, and the ACT government is considering it. Additionally, the ban in South Australia has already had a positive impact on schoolyard culture, as kids are now playing and chatting together instead of being glued to their phones. Schools have implemented various strategies to minimize phone use, such as using cash and debit/EFTPOS cards instead of phones for vending machine and canteen payments.
While there is support for the ban, commentator Joanne Orlando expressed concern that children may not develop a healthy relationship with technology if they are not allowed to use their phones at school. Federal Education Minister Jason Clare has called for a national approach to the ban and will consult with parents, teachers, and principals. However, Orlando argues that students should be included in these discussions, as they are directly affected by the policy. She also questioned the effectiveness of phone bans, citing instances where students have found ways to circumvent them.
Orlando argued that phone bans may not lead to significant improvements in bullying or class engagement and warned that overreliance on bans may hinder children’s ability to develop essential skills for a technology-driven world. She pointed to a Spanish study that showed improved academic results, but only when students were allowed to use their phones as a learning tool for educational purposes. Instead of outright bans, Orlando believes that a balanced approach that teaches responsible phone use would better prepare children for the digital age.