Australia's Sydney private elite school, Cranbrook School, has announced that starting from 2026, primary school students will be completely banned from using smartphones and will require parents to buy foldable basic phones such as Nokia for their children instead.
According to the New York Post, Cranbrook School, located in Bellevue Hill in Sydney’s eastern district, will restrict the types of phones that students from grades 3 to 6 can carry during their commute to and from school under the new policy. Only two foldable phones priced under 100 Australian dollars (about 273 ringgit) — the Nokia 2660 Flip 4G or Opel Mobile Flip Phone — will be allowed.
The school stated that the purpose is to reduce inappropriate use of smartphones arising during students’ commutes and to help children focus more on their studies and interaction with peers while at school.
Primary school director Marquette pointed out that the school frequently has to handle issues arising from students using smartphones on their way to and from school, especially when taking public transportation. She emphasized that the new measure will help students maintain proper behavior during commuting and will also improve the learning environment on campus.
Cranbrook had previously already banned students from using phones during class time but had allowed students to carry phones during their commute.
This Sydney elite school is not an isolated case. Other private schools, including Queenwood School for Girls and Pymble Ladies’ College, have also announced restrictions on students using smartphones. Around 80 Catholic schools in the western Sydney area will also completely ban students from carrying phones starting from the 2026 academic year.
All public schools in New South Wales have already imposed a total ban on phones, reflecting growing concerns among parents, teachers, and the government about the safety and physical and mental health of students using smartphones.
Meanwhile, starting from December 10, Australia will uniquely ban children and teenagers under the age of 16 from using social media, with the scope of the ban covering 10 platforms including IG, Facebook, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, X, and YouTube. (Source: United Daily News)