Singapore will enforce a stricter ban on smartphones and smartwatches in secondary schools starting January, the Ministry of Education announced, marking a significant step in efforts to reduce digital distractions on campus.
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The city-state, known for being one of the world’s most digitally connected societies, already restricts device use during class time. However, the new guidelines extend the ban to non-lesson hours as well, requiring students to keep their devices in designated storage spaces such as lockers or inside their school bags throughout the school day.
According to the ministry, the move aims to create an environment that supports deeper focus, healthier digital habits, and overall improved student well-being. Officials emphasized that excessive screen time has been shown to disrupt essential activities, including sleep, physical exercise, and meaningful social interactions with peers and family.
Singapore will bar the use of smartphones and smartwatches in secondary schools starting in January https://t.co/msOdlaj6W7
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Schools will retain some flexibility and may allow smartphone access in exceptional cases where it is deemed necessary. However, such permissions will be limited and monitored closely to maintain the policy’s broader goals.
Singapore’s decision aligns with a growing global trend. UNESCO reports that nearly 40 percent of education systems worldwide have now introduced some form of smartphone ban in schools, driven by concerns over declining attention spans, cyberbullying, and dependence on digital devices.
Singapore forces students to lock away phones in total school day banhttps://t.co/PULAQiFAHH pic.twitter.com/BrzSyxr2Vh
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Australia is preparing to take the next big step, with a world-first ban on social media access for all children under 16 set to take effect next week. UNESCO has also highlighted stringent measures in other countries, such as a rule in Zhengzhou, China, requiring parents to submit written consent proving that a child’s phone is essential for learning purposes.
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With the strengthened ban, Singapore becomes the latest nation to prioritize student well-being and learning quality over digital convenience.