Screen time capped in NSW schools as study reveals widespread digital distraction

A major study commissioned by the NSW government has found that students' screen use explodes in the upper years of high school, with many spending more than seven hours a day on screens for schoolwork, social media and games. The Macquarie University-led report, titled "Best Practice in Screen Use for Education," surveyed nearly 3500 people, including 900 teachers, 1000 students and 1600 parents.

Half of teachers reported that students are frequently distracted by screens, while only 42 percent said students could shift their attention away from screens when asked. Among high school leaders, confidence in students' ability to self-regulate was even lower: just 10 percent believed students could manage their own technology use during learning.

The report noted that "managing attention and minimising off-task screen behaviour remain persistent classroom challenges, with many teachers reporting impacts on both student focus and peer interactions."

Last month, the NSW government responded by capping screen time for the youngest students to as little as 15 minutes a day, reversing years of policy that embedded more technology in classrooms to boost digital literacy.

NSW Education Minister Prue Car said the decision was driven by concerns about excessive screen use and its impact on children's mental health and education. "The excessive use of technology and its impact on children's mental health and education is a major concern for parents and schools today," she said. The minister also pointed to evidence of the benefits of reading and writing with pen and paper as a factor in the policy shift.

The findings come as schools across Australia grapple with how to balance the educational benefits of technology with the risks of distraction and overuse.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The NSW policy shift represents a significant reversal of the long-standing trend toward increasing technology in classrooms, and could influence other Australian states and territories.
The research quantifies what many teachers and parents have long suspected: that screen distraction is a persistent problem that worsens as students get older.
The success or failure of the screen time cap will be closely watched as a potential model for managing technology in schools nationwide.

Background

For more than a decade, Australian schools have progressively integrated digital devices, including laptops and tablets, into everyday learning. Programs such as the federal Digital Education Revolution saw laptops issued to secondary students, and many schools adopted bring-your-own-device policies. In recent years, however, concerns have grown about the impact of screens on attention span, mental health and academic outcomes, prompting some schools to restrict or ban phones and other devices. The NSW government's move to cap screen time for the youngest students is one of the most concrete regulatory responses to these concerns.

Key Perspectives

Teachers and school leaders: They report that digital distraction is a persistent classroom challenge, with students struggling to stay on task and to shift attention away from screens when asked. Only a small minority of high school leaders believe students can self-regulate their technology use. NSW Education Minister Prue Car: She argues that excessive screen use harms children's mental health and education, and that the evidence supports a return to more traditional learning methods like pen and paper. The screen time cap is presented as a necessary intervention. Critics and skeptics: Some educators and technology advocates may argue that blanket screen time limits could hamper digital literacy and the development of skills needed for a technology-driven workforce. They may also question whether a uniform cap is appropriate for all students and subjects, and whether the policy is based on sufficient evidence.

What to Watch

How schools implement the 15-minute cap and whether exemptions or variations are allowed for specific learning activities.
Future studies that measure academic outcomes and student well-being after the cap takes effect.
Whether other Australian states or territories introduce similar screen time restrictions.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Background

Key Perspectives

What to Watch

Sources