Kids and Screens: Screen-Time Rules, Kids’ Apps, Phone Bans — 2026-09-14
Australia’s New South Wales government announced a strict new policy capping student screen time and mandating pen-and-paper learning, citing declining educational outcomes. Meanwhile, in the US, New Jersey’s comprehensive school phone ban has fully taken effect, enforcing confiscation and detention for violations. In South Korea, enforcement gaps persist as nearly one in six schools still lacks updated policies to ban "second phones," while California moves toward imposing heavy financial penalties on social media companies for child safety failures.
Kids and Screens: Screen-Time Rules, Kids’ Apps, Phone Bans — 2026-09-14
Top developments
NSW Introduces Strict Screen Time Caps and Pen-and-Paper Mandates
On September 13, the New South Wales (NSW) Labor Government announced a new policy to limit digital device usage in all public schools starting next year. The rules cap screen-based learning time and require students to use pen and paper for at least one hour per day. Officials cited poor educational results and a need to improve student attention as the primary drivers for this shift away from excessive technology use
New Jersey Phone Ban Enforcement Begins
New Jersey’s statewide law banning cellphone use during school hours is now fully in effect as of early September 2026. The policy requires phones to be stored away from the first bell to the last, with first-time offenders at some high schools facing Saturday detention and device confiscation. Districts are given discretion on storage methods, but the legal mandate to keep phones out of hands is uniform across the state
South Korea Struggles with "Second Phone" Loopholes
Despite legal amendments in March 2026 allowing schools to restrict smart devices, Weekly Hankook reports that nearly one-sixth of Korean elementary, middle, and high schools still have not established specific school rules to enforce these bans. A major challenge remains the "second phone" phenomenon, where students hide backup devices to bypass restrictions. The Ministry of Education is pushing for stricter enforcement of the existing legal framework to close these gaps
California Proposes Heavy Fines for Social Media Harm
South Korean business daily Maeil Business Newspaper reported on September 14 that California is introducing ultra-strong regulations targeting social media platforms. If child or teen harm from social media addiction is proven, companies could face liability of up to $1 million per victim. The state governor stated that child safety cannot be left solely to corporate self-regulation, marking a significant escalation in regulatory pressure on tech giants
Meta Expands Parental Controls to Threads
Two days ago, VentureSquare reported that Meta has expanded its "Family Center" parental control features to its Threads app. Parents can now manage their children's usage time, set night sleep modes, and monitor posts on Threads, mirroring controls previously available on Instagram and Facebook. This move is part of Meta's broader "Screen Smart" initiative to address youth online safety
Local view
South Korea Local media highlights the disconnect between national laws and local implementation. Weekly Hankook notes that while the law allows teachers to confiscate devices, many schools are hesitant to act without clear internal regulations, leading to inconsistent enforcement. Meanwhile, Sisain published a report on Australia’s pioneering teen social media ban, using it as a comparative case study to debate whether South Korea should adopt similar age-restrictions for SNS platforms rather than just focusing on school hardware bans
United States In the US, coverage focuses on the practical realities of enforcement. NJ.com details how parents and students are adjusting to the new detention and confiscation rules, noting that while some districts allow parents to pick up confiscated phones immediately, others hold them until the end of the school day or week, creating logistical friction
Context & numbers
- NSW Screen Caps: The new Australian policy aims to limit screen-based learning significantly, with some reports suggesting caps as low as 15 minutes for certain activities, though the official release emphasizes "curbing excessive use" rather than a single universal minute-count for all subjects
- Korean Enforcement Gap: Approximately 16% (1 in 6) of Korean schools lack specific rules for the smartphone ban mandated by the amended Elementary and Secondary Education Act
- California Penalties: Proposed fines reach up to $1 million per victim if social media platforms are found liable for causing harm to minors
On the radar
- UK Statutory Guidance: In England, statutory guidance on mobile phones became effective on June 29, 2026, requiring schools to follow it since September 1. Reports indicate some schools are still ignoring these guidelines, with local media monitoring compliance
- France Progressive Ban: France’s ban on cellphones in high schools (lycées), which expanded this fall, is being applied progressively throughout the first trimester to ease the transition, according to Ouest-France
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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