The New South Wales government has announced plans to introduce limits on the use of digital screens in public schools, aiming to encourage more traditional "pen and paper" learning methods. This decision comes after similar proposals from the Victorian government and comments from the federal education minister, Jason Clare, who suggested students might benefit from a "digital detox." The new regulations are designed to manage students' exposure to screens, which have become increasingly common in classrooms with devices like tablets and laptops. Under the proposed rules, students in Kindergarten through Year 2 will be limited to 15 minutes of daily learning on individual devices. Older students will have slightly more time: up to 30 minutes for Years 3 and 4, and 45 minutes for Years 5 and 6. In high school, screen use will depend on the subject being taught, with students in Years 7 to 10 allowed to use personal devices for up to a quarter of their class time. Senior high school students will be permitted to use devices for up to half of their learning time. The government also plans to introduce guidelines that discourage screen use for homework among children younger than Year 5, while encouraging at least one hour of daily pen and paper activities. The new screen limits are not expected to be mandatory immediately. Instead, they will be recommended for implementation next year and will become mandatory in New South Wales schools starting in 2028. Education Minister Prue Car stated that research shows excessive screen use is a growing concern, and she emphasized the need for intentional use of technology rather than relying on screens as a default. She noted that many students are spending up to seven hours a day on screens, which has led to a decline in reading and writing skills among younger generations. The government cited positive outcomes from its mobile phone ban, including reduced classroom distractions and improved student engagement. The announcement also included a statement from the state’s chief paediatrician, Dr. Helen Goodwin, who warned that excessive screen time can interfere with important daily activities that support children’s healthy growth and development. The government emphasized that digital literacy will remain a part of the curriculum, but the new policy aims to reduce the overall impact of screen time on students’ development. The proposal has received support from some teacher and parent groups, who believe that balancing screen use with traditional learning methods can benefit students’ overall education and well-being.