Victorian government expands classroom device ban to include smartwatches and headphones
Consensus Summary
The Victorian government is expanding its classroom device ban to include smartwatches and headphones, effective January 27, 2027, applying uniformly across all public, Catholic, and independent schools. The policy follows a 2020 smartphone ban in public schools, which an independent review found improved student focus, socialization, and reduced incidents. Education Minister Ben Carroll framed the new rules as necessary to address evolving technology, targeting devices with notifications or internet access. While authorities like Independent Schools Victoria and the Catholic Education Authority welcomed the changes, Parents Victoria acknowledged the phone banâs success but stressed the need for student consultation. Schools like Caroline Chisholm Catholic College reported positive outcomes, such as increased fairness perceptions and social connections, though some parents remain concerned about the banâs breadth and school-family partnerships. The governmentâs move aims to create consistent rules statewide, addressing inconsistencies in private and Catholic school policies.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The Victorian government will extend its classroom device ban to include smartwatches and headphones from January 27, 2027, applying to all public, Catholic, and independent schools.
- Smartphones have been banned in Victorian public schools since 2020, with an independent evaluation showing improved student focus, socialization, and reduced critical incidents involving phones.
- Education Minister Ben Carroll stated the ban on smartwatches and headphones will target devices with notifications, internet connectivity, or recording functions.
- The policy will require devices to be switched off and stored during school hours, with exceptions for health-related device use.
- The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority will oversee compliance with the new policy for non-government schools.
- Parents Victoriaâs Gail McHardy acknowledged the phone ban reduced distractions but emphasized the importance of student-led consultation in policy changes.
- Independent Schools Victoria and the Victorian Catholic Education Authority welcomed the expanded ban as supportive of positive learning environments.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Parents Victoriaâs Gail McHardy noted mixed parental views on the banâs effectiveness, with some parents believing it shifts too much responsibility onto schools rather than families.
- Ben Carroll described the phone ban as a 'game changer' and stated 60% of children aged 7-12 use smartwatches.
- ABC cited specific quotes from Ben Carroll about smartwatches being a 'new disruptive machine' in classrooms.
- Premier Jacinta Allan announced the sweeping changes on Wednesday morning, making Victoria the first state to introduce such rules.
- The article emphasized the governmentâs claim that the ban would create 'disruption-free classrooms' with a 'single focus on the schoolteacher'.
- Caroline Chisholm Catholic College in Braybrook introduced a stricter device ban in 2024 after noticing phones contributed to behavior and social issues, with a student-led consultation process.
- The school reported a 20% increase in students believing rules were enforced fairly and a 10% increase in students keeping good friends post-ban.
- Year 12 student Macbeth Gonsalves noted students previously bypassed restrictions by hotspotting phones in libraries to play games.
- Principal Napoleon Rodezno compared the current accessibility of technology to 'giving kids a licence without being able to drive the vehicle'.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC reported mixed parental views on the banâs effectiveness, while NEWSCOMAU and THEAGE only mentioned support from school authorities without detailing parental opposition.
- ABC stated Ben Carroll said 60% of children aged 7-12 use smartwatches, but this statistic was not mentioned in NEWSCOMAU or THEAGE.
- THEAGE described the schoolâs ban as 'student-led in consultation with the schoolâs leaders,' while ABC and NEWSCOMAU did not specify this level of student involvement in policy design.
Source Articles
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