started · updated
Australian states implement classroom screen time limits
Australian state governments are moving to restrict student screen time in classrooms following reports of declining academic performance. The NSW Government has announced recommendations to limit access to laptops, tablets, and desktop computers, with implementation expected to begin in 2027 and full enforcement by 2028.
Under the proposed NSW guidelines, Kindergarten to Year 2 students would be limited to 15 minutes of daily screen use, while Years 3 and 4 would be restricted to 30 minutes. Years 5 and 6 would have up to 45 minutes. For secondary students, limits would be based on a fraction of subject time. The government also intends to encourage schools to limit screen use for homework and prioritize pen and paper.
These measures follow OECD data indicating that Australian students spend significantly more time on screens at school than their international peers, alongside dropping literacy and numeracy results. In Victoria, the government plans to abolish bring your own device programs in primary schools and limit screen use to 90 minutes daily for Years 3 to 6 starting in 2025. Meanwhile, the ACT Government is currently reviewing its ICT Acceptable Use policy, with potential changes for the 2027 school year.
Entities
ACT Government · Jason Clare · NSW Government · OECD · Prue Car
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Students in Years 3 and 4 will be limited to 30 minutes of screen use per day. regionillawarra.com.au · regionriverina.com.au
- [● 2 SOURCES] OECD data shows Australian students are more than twice as likely to spend over two hours a day on screens at school compared to other countries. regionillawarra.com.au · regionriverina.com.au
- [● 2 SOURCES] Students in Years 5 and 6 will be limited to 45 minutes of screen use per day. regionillawarra.com.au · regionriverina.com.au
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Victorian Government will abolish bring your own device programs in primary schools and limit screen use to 90 minutes daily for Years 3 to 6 starting in 2025. region.com.au
- [● 2 SOURCES] Kindergarten to Year 2 students will be limited to 15 minutes of screen use per day. regionillawarra.com.au · regionriverina.com.au
- [● 2 SOURCES] The NSW Government is introducing recommendations to limit student screen time in classrooms. regionillawarra.com.au · regionriverina.com.au
- [● 2 SOURCES] New recommendations will advise schools to limit screen reliance for homework and set minimum times for pen and paper use. regionillawarra.com.au · regionriverina.com.au
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The ACT Government is updating its ICT Acceptable Use policy, with changes expected to be finalized by the end of the year. region.com.au