Two years after school phone bans were implemented in Australia, what has changed?

"When Australian Christian College, a high school in the Melbourne outer suburb of Casey, implemented a phone ban on its campus, there were multiple reasons for the crackdown. Peer conflicts between students were escalating online, students were struggling to focus and teachers observed notification-driven code-switching in their students. When a phone is within reach, a student's mind is only ever half in the room, the school's principal, Caleb Peterson, says. We wanted their whole attention back."

"This month marks two years of phone bans being in operation in most Australian states. Victoria moved early, banning phones in public primary and secondary schools in 2020. By term four, 2023, Western Australia Tasmania, New South Wales and South Australia had followed suit; Queensland restricted phones in term one, 2024. The announcement of the bans were lauded by parents and politicians, many of whom believed blocking access to phones would enhance focus and minimise distractions, while some experts were sceptical about their effectiveness."

"Now, two years on, what has actually happened in Australia's phone-free schools? Phones belonging to students are stored in a container after being checked-in' at a NSW high school. Photograph: Steven Saphore/AAP The impacts were clear, says Peterson. Since the ban, we've seen stronger lesson starts, fewer interruptions and better flow in teaching. Device-driven conflicts have fallen and recess and lunch look different now, [there are] more games, conversations and positive student-staff interactions. It's the kind of atmosphere you actually want for young people."

Peer conflicts between students were escalating online, students were struggling to focus and teachers observed notification-driven code-switching in their students. When a phone is within reach, a student's mind is only ever half in the room. School mobile phone bans typically require devices be kept in bags or lockers during the school day and confiscated on sight, stored in the office until the end of the day. Victoria banned phones in public schools in 2020; by term four 2023 Western Australia, Tasmania, New South Wales and South Australia had followed; Queensland restricted phones in term one 2024. Schools reported stronger lesson starts, fewer interruptions, better flow in teaching, fewer device-driven conflicts and more games, conversations and positive student-staff interactions at recess and lunch.

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