Emma Pritchard and Rodney Stevens, Clarence Valley Independent

High school students will be banned from using mobile phones at school from Term Four 2023 in an election commitment from the Minns Labor government designed to improve students learning and social development.

Consultation between schools and the government on options they can use to implement the ban began last week, as NSW looks to bring high schools in line with those in South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, where mobile phone bans already exist.

While students will still be able to carry their mobile phones to and from school, the ban will apply during class, recess, and lunch, as is the case in NSW primary schools.

It is understood that students who need to use their phones during recess or lunch to contact family will be able to apply to the school for permission to do so.

According to the NSW Government, a number of high schools have already implemented bans on mobile phone use at school, requiring phones to be put in lockable bags, pouches, or lockers, or by getting students to hand their phones in at the start of the school day.

Banning mobile phones in high schools will allow teachers to concentrate on teaching, without interruptions, and eliminate the possibility of cyberbullying, social media use or photos and videos being taken during school time.

Premier Chris Minns said the ban is designed to improve students learning outcomes.

“I know many parents who are anxious about the pervasiveness of phones and technology in our children’s learning environments,” he said.

“It’s time to clear our classrooms of unnecessary distractions and create better environments for learning.

“These bans will be applied with common sense and in consultation with the experts, to ensure it works to improve our children’s learning outcomes.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Pru Car said for the past 16 years, students at Sydney’s Condell Park High School have dropped their phones in trolleys at the start of the day and collected them at the end of the school day.

“A blanket ban in high schools will create a level playing field, reduce distractions in classrooms, help address cyberbullying issues and improve student learning outcomes,” she said.

“We know that parents across the state are concerned about the impact that devices like smartphones are having on their kids’ learning and mental health.

“Condell Park High School has successfully banned student mobile phones for 16 years with benefits to student learning and behaviour.”

The government says it will be up to the individual schools as to what punishment is applied to children who don’t comply with the ban.

The CV Independent asked a selection of local students and adults their thoughts on the school mobile phone ban soon to be introduced.

What do students think?

Cooper

I don’t really agree with it. If you miss your bus or you are late to class, you have to call your parents somehow.

Koby

I think it’s stupid because what if we forget our lunch or need our phone to call our parents for essential stuff for everyday life. I’ll always be against using your phone in class because you’re supposed to be here to learn.

Cody

I think it’s pretty crap. There are benefits and doubts. You can benefit by being able to call your parents when you need to, but there are doubts because you can use your phone to cheat.

Harry

We shouldn’t use our phones in class because its bad and the teacher wants to teach us to be like Elon Musk.

What do adults think?

Judith Sinclair: I think this is an extremely proactive movement which will make the school environment safer for all students. I have three grandkids, all in their teens, who attend high school in Sydney, and I’m constantly worrying about their education because all they want to do is spend time playing around on their mobile phones instead of concentrating on their homework.

Heather McDowall: As a grandparent of seven, including five teenagers and one pre-teen, I applaud this announcement. I think the ban will help to improve learning outcomes for students, and it will also help them to stay focused in school and reduce the risk of them being targeted by cyberbullies.

Thomas Hackett: It’s a great decision. I have two young sons and I’m always worried about what they may be exposed to online, because so many kids have mobile phones now. As a parent, it makes me feel safer knowing if mobile phones are banned from schools, my kids aren’t potentially seeing things online which they shouldn’t be seeing.

Kia Lippman: I have three kids and none of them have mobile phones. I’ve been very cautious about teaching them about social media and online platforms, and all the risks that are associated with them, and it makes me feel more at ease to know my kids won’t be exposed to anything untoward if there are no mobile phones in the schools.

This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 12 April 2023.