Educational policies and teacher reports debate digital device use in schools

The National party has proposed a new policy under its ‘Set Up for Success’ framework that aims to implement a total ban on onscreen time in early childhood education (ECE) centres. The proposal also seeks to restrict device use for students in years 1 through 3 and introduce clearer developmental reporting for parents.

Proponents of the ban argue that reducing screen time helps children build interpersonal foundations. However, academic researchers have cautioned that a blanket ban may oversimplify the role of educational technology and could negatively impact neurodivergent students who rely on specific digital tools for learning.

In a separate report by the Walton Family Foundation and Gallup, 95% of elementary school teachers reported that students use digital devices in their classrooms. While 61% of these teachers believe digital tools help students learn more effectively, 46% noted that devices act as a distraction. Furthermore, 61% of teachers overall expressed a desire for students to use devices less frequently, and two-thirds of teachers would support transitioning device-based classes back to paper-based instruction.