Phones, smartwatches, and wireless earbuds—soon, none of them will be allowed in classrooms across Victoria. It’s a bold move that extends the state’s controversial phone ban from government schools to every single school in the state. But what does this mean for students, parents, and teachers?
The Ban Gets Bigger
In 2020, Victoria made headlines by banning mobile phones in government schools to curb distractions and improve student focus. The results were positive—students were reportedly more engaged, and there were fewer disruptions during class. After reviewing the initial ban’s success, the state government decided to expand it. Starting January 28, 2027, the phone ban will apply to all schools, including private and Catholic institutions, reports 9News. That’s right—no phones, smartwatches, or even wireless earbuds during school hours.
The law mandates that all devices must be turned off and stored away until the school day ends. If a student has a wearable device like an Apple Watch or similar, it must be disconnected from the internet, and all notifications must be disabled. The only exceptions will be for students who need devices for medical reasons, with a proper explanation provided. In emergencies, parents can still contact their child through the school.
The Reasons Behind the Ban
Why the big crackdown? The main goal is simple—reduce distractions. It’s no secret that phones are a huge source of interruption, whether it’s texting during lessons or checking social media instead of focusing on classwork. The idea is that without these distractions, students can better focus on their learning, and that’s something the state government has taken seriously.
An independent review of the initial phone ban found that students were more focused during classwork and even more social during breaks. Fewer incidents involving phones also made teachers’ lives a bit easier, with less time spent addressing disruptions.
Support from Schools and Parents
While some might argue the policy goes too far, the response from schools has been largely positive. Independent Schools Victoria, which represents many private schools in the state, welcomed the decision, praising the government for finding a balance between student access to technology and maintaining a positive learning environment. Rachel Holthouse, the Chief Executive, acknowledged that electronic devices could be useful but emphasized that they needed to be used in ways that supported rather than hindered student wellbeing.
Even Catholic schools, which were not initially part of the original ban, are backing the expanded legislation. The message is clear: keeping phones out of the classroom helps students concentrate better, which ultimately boosts their academic performance.
What Does This Mean for Other States?
Victoria’s move comes at a time when other Australian states are also considering similar measures. After Victoria’s initial phone ban, other regions like New South Wales and Queensland followed suit, implementing their own restrictions on mobile devices in schools. It seems the trend of limiting screen time is gaining momentum across the country.
In addition to the phone ban, there’s been growing support for federal legislation that restricts social media access for children under 16. With this, the message is clear: reducing screen time and encouraging face-to-face interactions is a priority.
