From the beginning of 2024, all Queensland state school students will have their mobile phones switched off and ‘away for the day’. This announcement also extends to wearable devices like smartwatches, which can be worn, but must have notifications switched off, so that phone calls, messages and other notifications cannot be sent or received during school hours.
This will bring consistency across the nation, with all other states and territories agreeing to consistent restrictions on the use of mobile phones in government schools from the start of the school year.
'Away for the day' will support our school to maintain a strong focus on educational achievement, and student wellbeing and engagement by:
- providing optimal learning and teaching environments
- encouraging increased face-to-face social interactions between students
- promoting the health and wellbeing of students through increased physical activity at break times
- reducing the potential for students to be exposed to the negative impacts of the digital world, resulting from unsafe or inappropriate technology use.
The Mobile Phone Pouch program employs a simple, easy-to-use case that stores a mobile and requires an unlocking base to open. When students enter school grounds they will place their phone in a mobile phone pouch which is then locked. Students maintain possession of their phones but will not be able to use them until they are unlocked at the end of the day. During lessons that require or would be enriched by the use of mobile phones, unlocking stations would be provided for educational purposes.
We thank you for your continued support in ensuring a safe and healthy learning environment for our students.
For more information and frequently asked questions, visit the department’s website: https://tinyurl.com/329kup6u