School screen time capped as students go back to basics

The Australian state government of New South Wales is implementing new rules to limit students' daily screen time, with the aim of improving their health and educational outcomes. Public schools in NSW will be required to cap screen time at just 15 minutes a day for students in kindergarten through year 2, 30 minutes for years 3-4, and 45 minutes for years 5-6.

High school students will have their screen time limited to one-quarter of class time per subject in years 7-10 and up to half in years 11-12. The new guidelines also recommend at least an hour of pen-and-paper learning per day, citing the benefits of handwriting and reading print.

These measures come in response to concerns that excessive screen use is negatively impacting students' academic performance and overall health. Research shows that Australian teenagers are spending up to seven hours a day on screens, and there has been a decline in reading and writing skills among a generation of children. In 2027, the changes will become mandatory, allowing teachers time to adjust their teaching methods.

The move follows similar actions taken by the Victorian government to reduce screen time in classrooms from 2027.

Health officials emphasize the importance of balancing screen time with physical activity, adequate sleep, and social interactions. Exemptions will be made for students with disabilities, additional needs, English language learners, or those with personalized learning plans. The government hopes these changes will address the concerning trends in test scores, such as Australian high school students registering record-low scores in mathematics and reading according to the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment.