New South Wales sets caps on classroom screen time for public schools

The short version

• The New South Wales government unveiled limits on classroom screen use and a return to daily pen and paper tasks.[The Guardian]
• The policy restricts younger primary students to between 15 and 45 minutes of daily screen time, while high schoolers face subject-based limits.[The Guardian]
• The rules will be recommended starting next year before turning fully mandatory across public schools in 2028.[The Guardian]
• Education Minister Prue Car cited government research warning that excessive screen use is an ongoing problem.[The Guardian]

Key facts

• The New South Wales government plans to limit classroom screen time and require daily pen and paper learning in public schools.[The Guardian]
• Kindergarten to Year 2 students will be restricted to 15 minutes daily on individual devices, while Years 3 to 4 are capped at 30 minutes and Years 5 to 6 at 45 minutes.[The Guardian]
• Personal digital device use will be restricted to one-quarter of subject time in Years 7 to 10 and up to half of learning time for senior secondary students.[The Guardian]
• The restrictions will be advisory next year before becoming compulsory across NSW schools in 2028.[The Guardian]
• State Chief Paediatrician Dr Helen Goodwin stated that excessive screen time interferes with daily activities necessary for healthy development.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• NSW to put strict caps on screen time in classrooms while pushing for ‘pen and paper’ learningThe Guardian - World