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Mobile phones in schools

Mobile phones brought to school must be switched off and stored securely during the school day.

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Student use of mobile phones at school policy

There is a mobile phone policy in place for all government schools. The policy means phones brought to school must be switched off and stored securely during the school day.

The aim of this policy is to provide:

  • a safe environment to learn without inappropriate mobile phone use (including cyberbullying) or distractions
  • greater opportunities for social interaction and physical activity during recess and lunchtimes.

The use of technology is important, but the risks and benefits from its use need to be managed, refer to our summary of research articles.

Emergencies

In emergencies, parents can contact their children through the school office.

Exceptions

A small number of exceptions will be made. These exceptions will only be available if a mobile phone is essential for a student in:

  • managing a health condition
  • classroom learning.

Teachers can grant a classroom-based learning exception. Other exceptions are managed by the school principal. Your child’s school can give you more information about exceptions.

Family support

Talking about mobile phone use as a family is a great way to support safe and responsible technology use.

The eSafety Commissioner website has many resources for families, such as:

Download guidance for parents in different languages

The 'Mobile phones in school - guidance for parents' document is available to download in different languages.

Research

Since Victoria took the nation-leading approach of having phones switched off and stored securely during the school day, other jurisdictions have implemented similar policies. The research below highlights that students are more focused in class, more social during breaks and schools are reporting less behavioural issues as a result.

Mobile phone use in Australian classrooms

Mobile phone ban improves learning, concentration and socialisation – a 2024 NSW Department of Education survey of nearly 1,000 principals found that since the mobile phone ban, including:

  • 87% say students are less distracted in the classroom
  • 86% of principals say socialising has improved
  • 81% say students’ learning has improved.

Behaviour improves as a result of mobile phone ban – a 2025 survey of 3,000 South Australian parents, staff and students found widespread support for the policy, including:

  • 83% of leaders and 75% of teachers reported more positive break-time activities.
  • 76% of leaders and 70% of teachers reported increased focus and engagement during learning time.

Student perspectives on banning mobile phones in South Australian schools – a 2025 South Australian academic study found that students themselves reported the following benefits of phones being off and away during the school day, including:

  • Stronger social connections – more face-to-face interaction, better quality conversations, and greater awareness of peers and their surroundings.
  • Improved classroom focus – less distraction, greater engagement in learning, and reports of higher grades, with teachers also spending less time managing phones.
  • Better health and safety – reduced screen time, more exercise, improved mood, and less cyberbullying and conflict.

Creating effective learning environments

Effectively managing classrooms to create safe and supportive learning environments – a 2023 AERO discussion paper highlights the importance of clear expectations and routines, including around device use, to support student engagement and minimise distractions.

Global evidence on digital device use and learning

Students, digital devices and success – a 2024 OCED report outlines that leisure-related device use at school is negatively associated with academic performance, reinforcing the importance of around mobile phone use.

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