24 Apr 2024
New mobile phone policy now in place
A new policy is now in place for the way that mobile phones are managed in all ACT public schools.
The new Personal Use of Communication Devices in ACT Public Schools policy means that students in years P-10 may not use or access mobile phones or other personal communications devices at any point during the school day, or during school-authorised events. Students in year 11 and 12 must put their devices away during class time.
Students in years P-10
- Students may not use or access personal communications devices at school, including recess and lunch, or during school-authorised events.
- Students are strongly encouraged to keep their phones and other personal devices away from school.
- It is acknowledged that some students need access to their phones or other personal devices immediately before and after school to help them get to and from school safely. Expectations about how and where to store devices during school hours will be communicated by your school.
Students in years 11 and 12
- Mobile phones and other personal communications devices must be silenced and put away during class time and any teaching event or instruction delivered by a teacher or school staff member.
- A device is ‘put away’ when it is secured out of sight in a safe place. The device must not be on a student’s person, on the student’s desk or in the student’s work area.
- Students may not access their device or use technology connected to the device via physical wires, wireless tethering, Bluetooth or hotspot during these times. This includes but is not limited to headphones, speakers and Chromebooks.
- Students may use their devices during class time if the teacher leading the class/activity has explicitly permitted students to do so for educational purposes.
- Students may use their devices at other times while at school, such as at lunch or other break times.
- Students must not film, photograph or share images or footage of other students, teachers, school staff or visitors to the school unless permitted to do so by the individual being recorded.
Special considerations and exemptions
- Exemptions can be requested if a student needs their device/assistive technology:
- to manage or monitor a medical condition
- to help meet caring or family responsibilities
- to support adjustments for students with disability
- as part of an agreed individual learning plan.
- If you would like to apply for an exemption please speak with your school who will help you with this process. You will need to complete the Exemption Request form
(24kb) and return it to your school front office (email or in person).
How does it work at my school?
Each ACT public school has implemented this policy aligning with their unique circumstances. For more details on how this works at your school please speak with your front office.
For information about supporting your child to manage their screen time at home visit: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/issues-and-advice/screen-time
Frequently asked questions
Parents can call their school’s front office with any urgent messages, for example changes to after school pick up arrangements, for their child, which will be passed on by school staff.
Students in Years P-10 at ACT public schools may not use or access personal communications devices at school, including recess and lunch, or during school authorised events.
Year P-10 students are strongly encouraged to keep their phones and other personal devices away from school. However, it is acknowledged that some students require access to their phones or other personal devices immediately before and after school to help them get to and from school safely.
Each ACT public school will implement this policy aligning with their unique circumstances. Expectations about how and where to store devices will be communicated by your school to students and parents/carers ahead of the 2024 school year.
Each ACT public school has implemented this policy aligning with their unique circumstances. Some ACT public schools have storage solutions such as phone lockers or locked pouches available. Other schools may require devices to be stored in bags, lockers, with classroom teachers or at the front office.
Expectations about how and where to store devices will be available from your school.
Smartwatches with the capability of connecting to telecommunication and/or internet networks cannot be worn by P-10 students during the school day. As with mobile phones, these devices may be required to be worn immediately before and after school to help students get to and from school safely. If so, students should follow their school’s storage requirements. Expectations about how and where to store devices will be communicated by your school to students and parents/carers ahead of the 2024 school year.
There is strong community and ACT Education employee support for ‘put it away’ restrictions for college students, due to older students requiring more flexibility and being more responsible. Also, given the flexible nature of class times and attendance in the college years, stronger restrictions would be harder to implement and enforce.
Formal and specific exemptions can be requested and must be approved by the school principal or delegate. This may include the use of a device to support the learning needs of neurodiverse students.
Personal Use of Communication Devices Exemption Request Form
Formal and specific exemptions can be requested and must be approved by the school principal or delegate. This may include the use of a device to support the mental health needs of students.
Personal Use of Communication Devices Exemption Request Form
Formal and specific exemptions can be requested and must be approved by the school principal or delegate. This may include the use of a device to support the adjustments for students with disability.
Formal and specific exemptions can be requested and must be approved by the school principal or delegate. This may include the use of a device, if assistive technology is used as a strategy in a student’s individual learning plan to support the disability needs of students.
No. Young carers or parents who require an exemption can fill out the exemption form themselves and discuss their application with their school.
Parental controls, or other type of controls can be applied to a range of devices such as laptops, phones, smart glasses and smart watches.
While these controls can be useful in specific use cases, students can often find ways to override them. The use of smart devices with a parental control does not make them exempt from the current policy.