# Global school screen time and digital device restrictions

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-school-screen-time-and-digital-device-restrictions
> Updated: 2026-09-12T22:31:03.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

Educational authorities in New York City and New South Wales are implementing policies to restrict student screen time and promote traditional learning methods in response to academic performance concerns.

In New York City, the Department of Education has introduced rules to limit personal device use for students through 2nd grade, with recommended daily limits for older students. These measures follow a previous pause on artificial intelligence use. Implementation faces potential hurdles, as educators note that many standardized tests and curriculum assessments are delivered via screens. The city is also addressing declining English Language Arts proficiency and high rates of chronic absenteeism.

In New South Wales, Education Minister Prue Car has detailed a staged directive to address declining reading and writing standards following poor Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results. The policy, set to become mandatory in 2028, includes strict daily screen caps for younger students: 15 minutes for Kindergarten to Year 2, 30 minutes for Years 3 and 4, and 45 minutes for Years 5 and 6. 

For secondary students, digital device use will be restricted to 25% of subject time for Years 7 to 10, and up to 50% for senior students. The government will also mandate at least one hour of daily pen-and-paper learning and recommends excluding digital devices from homework for students below Year 5. This initiative responds to research suggesting excessive screen use contributes to distraction and follows pressure from advocacy groups such as the Heads Up Alliance.

## Claims

- NSW Education Minister Prue Car announced new policies to cap student screen time in schools. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Students will be required to use pen and paper for at least one hour per day. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The policy follows PISA results showing nearly a quarter of NSW students are low performers in maths. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Kindergarten to year two students will face a 15-minute daily screen time cap. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The policy aims to limit the use of digital devices for homework. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-12: NSW government to limit school screen time and mandate pen-and-paper learning

NSW government to limit classroom screen time and mandate one hour of daily pen-and-paper learning to combat declining literacy and numeracy standards in public schools.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nsw-announces-new-school-screen-time-limits-and-pen-and-paper-mandates

### 2026-09-10: New York City schools implement screen time limits and face academic challenges

New York City schools are implementing new screen time limits for students and addressing declining proficiency scores and high absenteeism rates as the new academic year begins.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-york-city-schools-implement-screen-time-limits-and-face-academic-challenges

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Cite as: Global school screen time and digital device restrictions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-school-screen-time-and-digital-device-restrictions