High schools urged to follow cuts to screen time for primary students

Secondary students should join their primary school peers and have limits applied to the amount of school screen time to improve academic performance and mental health, say experts.

Associate Professor Michael Nagel, a child and adolescent development specialist, said high school students would benefit from similar rules to those now mandated by the state government for their younger peers.

“When puberty begins, there is a reconstruction of the teenage brain … and it’s a case of use it or lose it,” he said.

The University of the Sunshine Coast academic said screen time at school and home replaced activities where young people engaged with others to make social and emotional connections, including learning how to read social cues.

Nagel stressed screen time at school had its benefits but that it had to be used purposefully because some studies, including research published by the OECD, had shown excessive screen use had a negative impact on mental health and academic results.

On Thursday, Education Minister Ben Carroll announced primary students would have their daily screen time at school limited in an attempt to boost engagement.

Students in years 3 to 6 will be restricted to 90 minutes of screen time a day under the changes, while students in prep to year 2 will have minimal exposure to devices.

He said setting sensible limits would promote purposeful technology use, reduce overexposure to screens and help students stay focused and engaged.

“Digital skills are essential for kids growing up in the 2020s, but we know that these devices can also be distracting,” he said.

Australian Education Victoria branch president Justin Mullaly said it was insulting to have the minister tell schools how many minutes students should spend on devices when teachers and principals were best placed to decide.

The screen time changes, which take effect in 2027, do not apply to secondary schools or Catholic and independent schools.

Monash University professor of digital transformation Mike Phillips said that for younger students, a reduction in screen time would not equate to weaker digital skills.

“What matters is that students still have regular, meaningful opportunities to learn how to use technology critically and creatively,” he said.

Phillips said screen time had expanded quickly in some schools, without always being matched by classroom guidance on quality or purpose.

He said secondary students often spent a significant amount of time on devices when home and school use was combined.

Phillips said that for all students, the focus should be on quality screen time rather than time spent on devices: “A balanced approach can ensure children develop both traditional and digital literacies.”

Parents Victoria chief executive Gail McHardy said it was important that the 90-minute limit for students in years 3 to 6 did not impact readiness for secondary school. Each school should communicate how the changes would impact them.

“Schools have to be really savvy and clear about the conversations they have within their own context, their own community, about what that looks like for their school,” she said.

As part of the announcement, Carroll said state primary schools would also be required to provide a laptop for students to use at school.

He told the ABC that there were currently enough laptops in schools to cater for students’ needs but if there was “unmet demand”, they would be supplied.

McHardy said she expected the Education Department to respond to schools if more devices were needed. Although there were devices supplied to schools during the pandemic, additional needs might arise, she said.

Get the day’s breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. Sign up to receive our Evening Edition newsletter.