Victorian primary schools will soon cap classroom screen time at 90 minutes a day for Years 3–6, as part of new measures to reduce digital distraction.
The Victorian Government is introducing new screen time limits for primary school students to curb digital distraction and promote purposeful technology use in the classroom.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Mr Ben Carroll today announced that from 2027, all Victorian Government primary schools will be required to set sensible limits on device use – a move designed to help students stay focused, engaged and balanced in their learning.
Under the new guidance, digital device use in the classroom will be capped at 90 minutes per day for students in Years 3–6, while children in Prep to Year 2 will have only minimal exposure to screens during lessons.
“These new time limits will promote purposeful technology use, reduce overexposure to screens and help students stay focused and engaged,” Mr Carroll said.
Schools will continue to play a central role in building students’ digital literacy, but the new policy shifts the emphasis toward balanced, meaningful technology use.
Updated teaching guidance and classroom planning resources will be distributed to schools in Term 1 next year, to help teachers integrate devices in ways that enhance learning while reducing unnecessary screen time.
Mr Carroll said the reforms reflect growing awareness among educators and parents about the need to set clear boundaries around digital use in childhood.
“Digital skills are essential for kids growing up in the 2020s, but we know these devices can also be distracting,” he said. “It makes sense to minimise the time that primary school students spend on devices when they are at school.”
The new screen limits build on Victoria’s mobile phone restrictions, introduced in 2020, which saw phones banned from classrooms. According to school leaders, that policy improved student concentration and boosted social interaction and physical activity during breaks.
“Victoria led the nation by banning mobile phones from schools in 2020, and now we’re leading the way again by ensuring that screen time at school is managed sensibly,” Mr Carroll said.
As part of the same reforms, parents of government primary school students will no longer be required to buy a personal device for their child – a change that will save families more than $500 per student.
Instead, schools will provide access to laptops or tablets for use during lessons, helping ensure equitable access to digital tools without contributing to device overuse.
Member for Footscray Ms Katie Hall said the reforms would benefit both students and parents.
“Parents will be saving money while their kids can focus on learning, so this is a win-win,” she said.
The phased rollout will give schools time to adjust before the new requirements take effect in 2027.
