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Australia

WA to ban unnecessary iPads and laptops for youngest students in screen time crackdown

Premier Roger Cook announces ‘back to basics’ trial across 10 primary schools as Term 4 begins

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time1 min
Sources3 outlets
Western Australia will slash screen time for its youngest students under a new government initiative, with Premier Roger Cook set to ban the unnecessary use of iPads and laptops in kindergarten to Year 2 classrooms. The ‘back to basics’ trial, rolling out across 10 primary schools from the start of Term 4 today, removes digital devices from activities such as tracing letters and solving maths problems. The move follows Australia recording its worst-ever reading and numeracy results in a recent international survey.

The trial targets the youngest cohort in public schools, aiming to limit young children’s exposure to digital devices during core learning activities. For older students, the government will appoint a new advisory group to develop a digital learning and screen use plan for all public schools.

Other states are moving in a similar direction. Victoria and New South Wales are due to introduce screen time restrictions for their younger student cohorts from next year.

The initiative comes amid growing concern over the impact of screen time on early childhood learning and development. The recent international survey (the specific survey is not named in sources) showed Australian students’ reading and numeracy performance at their lowest recorded levels.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The policy directly affects how the youngest children in WA public schools learn, potentially shifting foundational literacy and numeracy instruction back to pen-and-paper methods.
  • If successful, the trial could provide evidence for other states and territories considering similar restrictions, amplifying a national trend.
  • The move reflects broader societal debate about the appropriate role of digital devices in early childhood education and the balance between technology integration and traditional teaching.

Background

Western Australia is the latest state to act on screen time in classrooms following poor national results in an international survey of reading and numeracy. Victoria and New South Wales have already announced their own restrictions for younger students beginning next year. The WA trial targets the earliest school years (kindergarten to Year 2), when foundational skills are typically taught. The government describes the approach as a ‘back to basics’ trial, with 10 schools participating.

Key Perspectives

[Parents and educators]: Some may welcome reduced screen time for very young children, citing concerns about attention spans and handwriting development. Others may worry about losing access to educational apps and digital tools that support differentiated learning.

[Technology advocates]: Critics of the ban may argue that iPads and laptops, when used appropriately, can enhance engagement and cater to diverse learning styles. They may caution against a blanket removal of devices without strong evidence that it improves outcomes.

[School administrators]: The 10 pilot schools will need to adjust lesson plans and potentially invest in non-digital materials. The advisory group for older students may face complex decisions about how to integrate technology effectively while limiting excessive screen use.

What to Watch

  • The results of the 10-school trial and whether it is expanded or made permanent.
  • The recommendations of the newly formed advisory group for older students’ screen use.
  • Whether Victoria and New South Wales proceed with their planned restrictions next year and how they compare to WA’s approach.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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