Classroom screen time to me cut for primary school students

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While the changes are relevant to elementary schools, some secondary students spend significant amounts of time on devices when combining recreational use and school-related tasks, he said.

“For older students, technology plays an integral role in accessing curriculum materials, collaborating online, conducting research and developing digital literacy skills,” he said.

“Extended screen use without adequate breaks or variety can cause negative effects.”

Phillips said the focus for all students should be on quality screen time rather than time spent on devices: “A balanced approach can enable children to develop both their traditional and digital literacy.”

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Parents Victoria chief executive Gail McHardy said it was important the 90-minute limit for students in Years 3 to 6 did not impact secondary school readiness and that each school had communicated how the changes would affect them.

“Schools need to be really receptive and clear about my conversations about their context, their community, and what that looks like for their school,” she said.

As part of the announcement, Carroll said public elementary schools will also be required to provide students with a laptop to use at school.

He told the ABC there were currently enough laptops in schools to meet pupils’ needs, but they would be provided if there was “unmet demand”.

McHardy said he expects the Department of Education to respond to schools if more devices are needed. He said that although devices were provided to schools during the pandemic, additional needs may arise.

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