New data from South Australia suggests a sustained shift in school behaviour following the introduction of a statewide mobile phone ban in public high schools, with reports of incidents linked to device use falling sharply since the policy began in 2023.
Department for Education figures show an 82 per cent drop in mobile phone related incidents in term 1 of 2026 compared with the same period in 2023, before the ban was introduced. Reported matters fell from 137 to 25.
Social media related issues recorded in schools also declined, with five cases reported in term 1 this year compared with 55 in the same period in 2023. The data includes incidents such as cyber bullying, circulation of explicit content and other forms of inappropriate online behaviour.
Across a broader period from 2023 to 2025, annual analysis points to steady decreases across several categories. Cases of students not complying with the policy fell by 66 per cent, inappropriate behaviour involving devices dropped by 48 per cent, and social media related incidents declined by 74 per cent.
South Australia’s policy requires phones to be switched off and stored away for the entire school day, including during breaks. The approach has been positioned by the state government as part of wider efforts to reduce disruption in classrooms and encourage more direct interaction between students.
The figures come alongside findings from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, which tracked around 1,200 students over a decade. The research found young people who spend two or more hours a day on social media are more likely to experience poorer mental health outcomes, including higher rates of anxiety and depression. The strongest effects were observed among girls aged 12 to 13.
State leaders have also pointed to wider measures aimed at reducing reliance on screens, including programs encouraging parents to consider smartphone free childhoods and media literacy initiatives in primary schools focused on helping students assess online information.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said schools had reported noticeable changes since the ban was introduced. He said the reduction in incidents reflected improved engagement in classrooms and more interaction among students during the school day, adding that ongoing efforts would focus on keeping children active and engaged beyond screens.
Education Minister Lucy Hood said removing phones from school environments had helped reduce distractions and allowed teachers to focus more on learning. She said students were also spending more time building face to face connections during breaks and engaging in wider school activities.
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