Victoria wants daily ‘device-free’ time in high schools. What works best for learning?

Victorian high schools will introduce “planned device-free time,” allowing schools to decide how this will work, focusing on activities like whiteboards, paper work, debates, or practical experiments.
Victoria is pioneering this in Australia, following a screen-time cap of 90 minutes for years 3-6 and minimal use up to Year 2.
Although screen time guidelines were initially developed for health, some private schools are also promoting “screen-free” time, seen as a quality education approach.
There’s no set “magic number” screen time limit; the focus is instead on how and for what purpose technology is used in learning.
Public concerns around young people’s technology use are influencing policies, yet they risk bundling different forms of technology into a singular “screen-time” problem.
According to OECD research, while digital devices can be a distraction, they can also enhance learning when used purposefully for education, providing engagement, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
Schools must prepare students for a digitally-shaped world, teaching them how to evaluate online information, use technology responsibly, and manage digital distractions.
Parents should ask their child’s school or teacher about the learning purpose of technology use, managing distractions, and teaching students to use digital tools responsibly.