Since the government’s cellphone ban came into effect in Term 2 of 2024, students have been required to keep their phones away during the school day. A new independent Education Review Office (ERO) review says the ban has improved students’ learning, with eight in ten secondary teachers reporting that removing phones has improved students’ focus on schoolwork.
61% of secondary teachers reported that students’ achievement has improved. 77% said removing phones has improved student behaviour. 69% reported that bullying in their schools had reduced. Teachers also reported that students were now talking more and engaging in good social interactions during breaks, now that they weren’t on their phones.
Head of ERO’s Education Evaluation Centre, Ruth Shinoda, says the cellphone ban has had a “really positive impact” on students’ learning and has reduced bullying. “This means that teachers can spend more time on teaching and less on managing behaviour.”
Education Minister Erica Stanford says the report confirms that the ban has achieved its goal of improving learning outcomes. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on raising student achievement and closing the equity gap at school. This report confirms our bold move hasn’t just done that, it’s also improved student behaviour and reduced bullying.”
Half of students ignore phone ban
Still, only half of secondary students follow the rules. When schools strongly enforce the rules, student compliance doubles. Tougher consequences, like notifying parents, also increase compliance, and confiscating phones doubles students’ likelihood of improved focus in class and achievement.
“ERO found less than 4 in 10 Year 12 and 13 students follow the rules,” Ruth Shinoda says. “ERO found that strong teacher enforcement is the key to improving compliance and raising student outcomes.”
The most common reason students disobey the phone ban is to contact their parents. Erica Stanford says parents play an important role in helping their children understand why staying off cell phones during school matters. Ruth Shinoda says it’s concerning that three in five rule-breakers do so to connect with their family. When parents resist phone rules, students are almost twice as likely to break the rules.
ERO recommends keeping the ‘Phones Away for the Day’ rule, improving secondary school compliance, and increasing parent awareness of the benefits of limiting digital distractions. It also suggests considering further measures to curb the use of other devices and reduce social media-related harm, drawing on lessons from overseas.
More tech bans considered
Smartwatches might be next. Half of secondary teachers reported wearable devices as a problem, and students can still use these and other devices to be distracted by social media in class.
“We know access to technology is changing rapidly; the first step was banning cell phones,” says the Education Minister. “We are thinking carefully about future policy considerations and will seek further advice on this.
“We remain committed to raising achievement and delivering better outcomes for our young people. This report is yet more evidence that our reforms are achieving that.”
