Student Digital Device Use

From 2027, the Victorian Government is introducing changes to the use of digital devices for students from Prep to Grade 6. Under the new guidelines, schools will no longer invite families to purchase or bring their own digital devices to use at school for Prep to Grade 6. We will also need to follow new recommended digital device times, including minimal device time for Prep to Grade 2; and a maximum of 90 minutes per day for Grades 3 to 6.

These changes are intended to support families by reducing cost-of-living pressures. They will also support students by reducing screen-time which can reduce the risk of eye strain, sedentary behaviour, and reduced peer interaction. These reforms complement Victoria’s nation-leading mobile phone restrictions, ensuring an integrated approach to addressing digital distraction and the inappropriate use of technology.

What this means for Sandringham East Primary School?

This means we will be ceasing our current BYOD program for Grades 3 – 6 from 2026 on. Instead, we will provide class sets of digital devices for use by students. Students who have been using BYO devices (Grades 3-6 2025) will be able to continue to bring their devices to school until they leave SEPS or the device needs replacing, but we will be following the new recommended device use times. Students with a disability who use a digital device as a reasonable adjustment are exempt from these changes.

You can read more about the changes within the Digital Learning Policy on the Department’s website.