The federal government is pushing for a 'digital detox' in schools, aiming to reduce screen time and limit the use of artificial intelligence in classrooms, according to a new report. Education Minister Jason Clare said there is a strong argument for more pen and paper and less technology, but he is not calling for iPads to be removed entirely.
The report, released by the federal government, outlines growing concerns about digital technologies in classrooms, particularly the impact of AI on children's critical thinking, concentration and problem-solving skills. State and federal education ministers have agreed to consider national limits on screen use, building on measures already flagged in New South Wales and Victoria and soon to be piloted in Western Australia.
The push reverses a decades-long trend of expanding technology use in Australian classrooms. The report says that when technology is used, it should support teaching and learning, and if it causes harm it should be restricted.
Under the proposed changes, some year 5 NAPLAN tests will return to a written format after being fully online. Generative AI will be restricted in primary schools and for high school assessments. A new taskforce will examine digital detoxing in schools and report to ministers three times next year.
Clare told ABC Radio National: "I'm not making the argument here to burn the iPads … but I am saying that there's a pretty good argument here for more pen and paper and less tech."
The evidence on technology's impact on learning is mixed. Recent international test results suggest 15-year-old students who use devices moderately for learning perform better than both heavy users and non-users, but critics argue that comparisons with non-users are not useful given how few students now go without technology. A 2015 OECD analysis found that countries which had invested heavily in computers for schools saw no appreciable improvement in reading, maths or science scores.
A main concern is that AI use will lead to “cognitive stunting”, where repeated use of the technology can weaken learning and thinking skills. UNESCO has published arguments that “cognitive friction”, or struggle, is where real learning happens.
The taskforce will need to address when and how to integrate technologies into classrooms. The government has not suggested a complete ban on technology across all schooling. Questions about how and when remain open.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The changes could significantly alter classroom practices, reducing screen time and AI use.
- The policy shift raises questions about preparing students for a world increasingly reliant on technology.
- The outcome will affect how teachers teach and how students learn.
Background
The federal government's push marks a reversal of a long-standing trend of expanding digital technology in Australian schools. Screen time rules have been patchy, with phone bans implemented at the state level and other decisions left to individual schools. There is no comprehensive national data on how much time children spend on devices at school.
What to Watch
- The new taskforce will report three times next year, with its findings likely to inform national limits.
- The return of some NAPLAN tests to written format will be a concrete change to monitor.
- The debate over AI's role in education and its potential for "cognitive stunting" will continue, with international examples like Norway and New York being watched.
Checked
6 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 4 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe federal government is pushing a “digital detox” in Australian schools.Latest Science news: “The federal government is pushing for a "digital detox" in schools.”
- Partly supportedMinisters agreed to consider national screen limits and AI restrictions.Latest Science news: “State and federal education ministers have agreed to consider national limits on screen use. The report also flags: ... generative AI to be restricted in primary schools and for high school assessments.”
- SupportedThe government aims to reduce students’ screen time and limit AI use at school.Latest Science news: “The government now plans to reduce the time students spend on screens and limit AI use at school to improve learning.”
- SupportedClare said he was not arguing for iPads to be removed and made the case for more pen and paper and less technology.Latest Science news: “"I'm not making the argument here to burn the iPads … but I am saying that there's a pretty good argument here for more pen and paper and less tech."”
- Partly supportedThe evidence on technology’s impact on learning is mixed.Latest Science news: “The evidence around how much technology is optimal for learning is also mixed.”
- SupportedThe new taskforce will report to ministers three times next year.Latest Science news: “a new taskforce to look at "digital detoxing" in schools, set to report to ministers three times next year”