The South Australian Government says a ban on mobile phones at public high schools is continuing to show huge improvements in student behaviour and wellbeing.
New data has been released as the mobile phone ‘off and away’ policy, introduced in 2023, reached the two-year anniversary of its full introduction.
SA Department for Education incident reporting shows there has been a 72% decline in matters related to mobile phone use in terms 1 and 2 of 2025 – compared to the same period in 2023, before the ban was in place.
This represents reported matters centred on students not complying with the policy or overall behaviour involving phones, along with a reduction in issues involving social media – such as cyber bullying, circulation of explicit content or other concerning online behaviour.
Issues related to social media have seen a huge drop of about 80.5% from Jan-Jun 2023, when the policy was implemented, to the same time this year – 154 down to 30. Behaviour issues have decreased by 60.3% from Jan-Jun 2023 to the same time this year, from 111 down to 44.
Analysis also shows that most of the issues reported in these categories have taken place off site or outside of school hours.
“As the community grapples more widely with damage caused by social media platforms, this Government has taken decisive action to protect young people in school,” said Education Minister Blair Boyer.
“This nation-leading mobile phone ban has been an important change, which helps students concentrate on their studies and build face-to-face relationships.
“While other states and territories have now followed our lead, South Australia remains the strongest ban in the country, with the ‘off and away’ policy also implemented during recess and lunch – meaning students are off their phones and interacting with each other through sports or club activities.
“We knew this was the right thing to do and the data is reflecting that.
“This has also been reflected in the wellbeing data which shows students are more connected to their school, which in turn, results in better academic achievement. Given our investments in a range of wellbeing initiatives for our schools, this is incredibly pleasing.”
Building on the ban, South Australian students are set to receive updated education about online safety, risks of inappropriate engagement, and how to get support around digital safety and appropriate use of devices.
Additionally, more students are feeling a greater sense of wellbeing and school connectedness, according to the most recent Wellbeing and Engagement (WEC) Collection student survey.
About 88,800 (73%) South Australian public school students took part in the survey across 476 schools. Of those surveyed, 61% reported feeling strongly connected to school in 2025, an increase from 59% in 2022.
High wellbeing related to connectedness to school among Year 7 to 9 students rose from 51% in 2023 to 54% in 2025, and among Year 10 to 12 students, it increased from 54% in 2023 to 58% in 2025.
Of those surveyed, 42% reported a strong sense of school belonging in 2025, an increase from 39% in 2023.
“At Charles Campbell College, we understand the significant role that wellbeing has on student learning and engagement,” said Charles Campbell College Principal, Kevin O’Neil.
“For several years now, we have used the student wellbeing survey results to develop a whole-school wellbeing plan with input from the students themselves.
“Our students have really embraced the opportunity to have a voice at the table, and staff are seeing the benefits both in the classroom and the school yard,” said Mr O’Neil.
