NSW’s mobile phone ban in public schools has reaped benefits, a government survey shows.

A year on from the introduction of the state-wide policy, a survey of 1,000 school principals conducted by the NSW Department of Education found almost universal support for the ban, with most agreeing students are less distracted and more focused.

Among the survey findings:

• 95% of principals are in favour of the ban
• 87% say students are less distracted in the classroom
• 86% say students are socialising more
• 81% say students’ learning has improved.

“One year in it’s clear this was the right decision,” said NSW premier Chris Minns. “Without the distraction of a mobile phone in their pockets, students have been able to focus on their learning, while building stronger relationships with their classmates.”  

The government’s commitment to ban mobile phones in primary and high schools “has delivered more productive classrooms with students who are less distracted and arriving in class ready to learn”, minister for education Prue Car said.

The mobile ban has also seen participation in sports increase, with students taking up touch football and basketball. Students are also engaging with other activities such as reading and playing chess.

“In breaks, I used to see students sitting alone, looking at their screens. Now, they are playing games,” principal of Riverstone High School Rosemary Daubney said. “They are laughing and running around, having a good time and talking to each other.”

Mobile phones are banned in public schools across Australia, with states and territories enforcing a number of different policies – ranging from restrictions to outright bans.

A similar ban in South Australia has also shown positive results, with principals reporting immediate changes in student behaviour. Government data says since the mobile phone ban was implemented last year, there has been a 63% decline in “critical incidents” online, a 54% drop in behavioural issues and a 10% reduction in violent incidents.

SA Department of Education chief executive Martin Westwell said principals have also noticed an increase in extracurricular activities in breaks. “We are pleased to hear anecdotal reports of changes in student behaviour reflected through increases in physical activity or play and meaningful face-to-face connections with peers.”