A tough new policy to see mobile phones banned in Australian primary schools but is it fair?

Mobile phones will be banned in primary schools in South Australia from 2021 under a new policy to curb distraction in class.

Under the draft policy students are allowed to bring their phones to school but are not allowed to use them – with the schools choosing if the devices are stored in lockers, bags, with a teacher, or in the school office. 

SA’s ban would leave Queensland as the only state where students are allowed to use their phones at school. 

Some parents welcomed the move saying phones only distract from learning, but some argue phones are too essential to ban. 

The restriction does not apply to bring-your-own laptops or tablets which are used for digital learning in class.

The change will also only affect the state’s primary schools and will not cover high schools or private schools – which decide their own rules on digital devices. 

‘Such a great idea. Social media is a huge problem with bullying and lessening the access to phones during school hours will make a huge difference’ one parent posted online about the policy,’ one parents wrote online.

‘For sure, primary school kids do not need phones at school. Collect them at the end of the day if they are absolutely necessary,’ another person said. 

Some people were not as convinced though saying that there are reasons children should be allowed to have their phones.  

‘When my daughter had hers I used to text her if I was running a bit late or start walking, I also used to text her where I was parked,’ one parent argued.   

‘Kids need to have the ability to stay in touch with parents. Specially in these times.’ one person said. 

‘There are children who actually need to use devices to help them out. Sight impaired or hearing impaired children count on these devices to communicate,’ added another. 

Yet another person questioned how the procedure would even work if dozens of students are handing similar phones into the teacher or office it would take ‘an hour’ just to sort out who owns each phone. 

South Australia is one of the last states in Australia to move to ban phones in primary school classrooms with New South Wales, Western Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania introducing policies in 2020. 

The draft policy will be released for consultation with primary schools before the 2021 school year.