Albanese government to discuss cutting screen time in schools
Education Minister Jason Clare will push to cut screen time in schools, though evidence on whether it helps is mixed.
Jason Clare says international test results support cutting screen time in classrooms and will bring a digital detox to the agenda at a meeting with state education ministers next month. Sweden made a high-profile push since 2023 to replace screens with paper and books, banning mobile phones in schools.
Sweden's latest PISA test results fell, not improved, raising doubts about whether removing devices alone fixes learning. The OECD found that moderate use of digital devices is linked to stronger science results, while excessive use and distraction are linked to weaker performance.
Experts point to different paths: Estonia achieved strong results without banning phones, trusting schools to manage technology themselves. China keeps exams paper-based but still teaches digital skills in IT classes.
Monash University professor Neil Selwyn warned that turning off technology at government order is extremely difficult and places huge strain on teachers.
- 2023
- Swedish policy start
- Neil Selwyn, Monash University
- Expert skeptic
Why it mattersWhat schools teach with and how they teach it shapes learning outcomes for every Australian student over the next decade.
AustraliaIf the Albanese government pushes for screen-free classrooms, schools across Australia will need to restock with physical books and rewrite teaching practices that now rely on devices.
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