Australia Considers “Digital Detox” as Schools Rethink Screen Use

CANBERRA — Australia is reconsidering the role of digital devices in schools after more than 15 years of technology-driven learning, with Education Minister Jason Clare suggesting that children may need a “digital detox” in classrooms.

Clare said the use of computers in schools had evolved significantly since digital technology was first introduced as an educational tool. Laptops and other connected devices have now become a routine part of students’ daily lives.

The proposal has attracted support from parents and teachers who argue that schools should reconsider how much time students spend in front of screens. A petition calling for a review of schools’ reliance on digital devices has collected more than 25,000 signatures.

Several Australian states are already moving toward tighter controls. Victoria plans to end its bring your own device program for primary school students from 2027 and limit digital device use for students in Years 3 to 6 to a maximum of 90 minutes a day.

Secondary schools in Victoria will also be required to introduce device-free learning periods from 2027. The state government has stressed that technology still has an important role in education, but should be used deliberately and when it clearly supports learning.

The debate comes amid concerns over student concentration, deep reading, social interaction and distractions caused by internet-connected devices.

OECD data cited in the debate shows that around one in three 15-year-old students across OECD countries report being distracted by digital devices in most or every mathematics lesson. Around one in four also say they are distracted by other students using digital devices.

Academics, however, have warned against drawing simple conclusions about screen use and academic performance. Researchers argue that children’s educational outcomes are influenced by a wide range of social, economic and educational factors.

As a result, Australia’s debate is not necessarily about banning technology from classrooms. Instead, educators are increasingly calling for more selective use of digital devices, particularly when traditional learning methods may be more effective.

Australia’s changing approach reflects a broader international debate over technology in education. After years of rapid digitalisation, education systems in several countries are now reconsidering how much screen time students should have during the school day.

The central question is no longer whether schools should use technology, but when technology genuinely helps students learn — and when it becomes a distraction.