Parents will be dialled in with training over Queensland’s plan to ban mobile phones and smartwatches in state schools when classes begin next year.
Education Minister Grace Grace said parents would have two terms to adjust to the ban, which brings the state into line with the rest of the country as part of a consistent national approach to mobile phone use.
“We’re about to bring in a uniform ban right across the school day, so they are away for the day,” Ms. Grace said at a press conference in Canberra.
“We'll be implementing this on term one in 2024.”
The move builds on the previous policy under which almost all state schools had imposed some form of mobile phone ban.
“We’re now taking that next step where we will have a uniform approach,” Ms. Grace said.
“It will cover all break times as well, so away for the day, and we'll ensure that we have guidelines up to date in consultation with school communities, including parents, about how we implement this at a school level.”
She said more than 95 percent of schools had a clear policy banning phone use during class, with the remaining schools restricting use informally.
Following the implementation of recommendations from the Anti-Cyberbullying 2018 Taskforce, all state schools have been required to outline how they manage mobile phones.
This includes the context of cyberbullying and distractions in the classroom.
“We will, of course, also make sure that we educate our parents - we will give two terms so we can work on implementation guidelines so we can educate parents and students and teachers,” Ms. Grace said.
Students will still be able to bring phones to school so they can contact parents or carers immediately before or after school.
Exemptions will also be available in specific circumstances, including for health and well-being.
The Queensland government appointed former family and child commissioner Cheryl Vardon to review the policy, with her report due later this month.
Ms. Grace said she would continue talks with other education ministers on producing consistent guidelines across states and territories.
