From 2027 the department will be introducing new guidelines for screen use at school. This will include recommended maximum times that students can spend on individual devices, such as laptops, desktop computers and tablets. For more details, see below. This revised approach recognises that students need screen-free time, time writing by hand and reading from paper, alongside the benefits technology can provide for learning.

This is not about removing technology from education. It is about ensuring that our use of technology adds genuine educational value every time it is used. We will provide further information about the screen use guidelines, as well as support resources to implement them, next term.

All schools will be working with their community over the coming months to determine how these guidelines will look in their specific context. In particular, schools with an existing Bring Your Own Device program, or those contemplating introducing one, will review those programs using the new guidelines – including maximum recommended usage times – in consultation with their school community.

It is recommended that schools implement the new guidelines from Term 1 2027 where possible. There will be a transition period during 2027 to review how and when digital devices are used and ensure screen use is purposeful and supports learning. All schools must implement the guidelines by Term 1 2028.

New guidelines

The recommended maximum time students can spend on individual devices, such as laptops, desktop computers and tablets, are:

• no individual student device use in public preschools

• up to 15 minutes a day for Kindergarten to Year 2

• up to 30 minutes a day for Years 3 and 4

• up to 45 minutes a day for Years 5 and 6

• up to 25% of lesson time per subject for Years 7 to 10

• up to 50% of lesson time per subject for Years 11 and 12.

In all cases, these maximum usage times should be considered on average over one week.

Homework requiring a digital device is: 

• not recommended for Kindergarten to Year 4 
• only recommended for Year 5 to 12 where the use of a digital device for homework is more effective for learning than the alternative.   

Principles for good practice in screen use

These principles apply to 'screens' defined more generally than individual student devices, to include interactive whiteboards, televisions, computers, laptops, desktop computers and tablets (such as iPads):

• Screens should only be used where this is better for learning than the alternative. 
• Students should only use individual student devices when the teacher explicitly instructs a student to do so.  
• Interactive whiteboards should only be used for teacher-led instruction and turned off when not in use. 
• Screens should not generally be used for recreational use. 
• Screens should not be used in break times (including individual student devices, except for supervised learning purposes). 
• Screens should be used for learning, and not as a reward for behaviour or for completing work. 
• Teachers should use a variety of tools to support transition time, providing screen-free alternatives and minimising use of screens during transitions where possible.

Exemptions

Exemptions for student and teacher use will apply for screen use that is: 

• a reasonable adjustment to enable students with specific learning needs to participate in education on the same basis as other students
• for translation devices 
• for online delivery of co-curricular activities, curriculum or learning support including via Aurora College, Distance Education and other online programs
• part of a reasonable adjustment or accommodation for a staff member
• or completing online or computer-based testing.

Certain secondary subjects that require particularly high digital device usage, such as software engineering, will be exempt from the maximum usage recommendations.

New guidelines also recommend a minimum of one hour a day of learning using pen and paper, reflecting strong evidence of the learning benefits of writing by hand and reading from paper. 

More information

• NSW Government – screen time guidelines
• Media announcement

Contact

• Please email screenuse@det.nsw.edu.au