The Real Reason Singapore Secondary Schools Are Banning Smartphones

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From 2026, secondary school students in Singapore won’t be allowed to use their smartphones at any time while they’re in school, not just during lessons. Phones must be kept in lockers or bags throughout school hours, and even smartwatches are banned. Schools can make exceptions and will decide how to punish rule-breakers. On top of that, students’ personal learning devices will be locked from 10.30pm instead of 11pm, to reduce late-night screen time and help them sleep more.

These changes build on guidelines already applied to primary school students, and are part of a national health strategy called Grow Well SG. The government’s concern is that excessive smartphone use is replacing sleep, physical activity, and real-life social interaction, which hurts students’ overall well-being. A survey found that one in four 13–17-year-olds in Singapore spends more than four hours a day on digital devices on weekdays. The hope is that stricter rules will push kids to build healthier habits and actually talk to their friends instead of just texting them.

Even with this stricter school policy, other countries are going further by targeting social media itself. Australia will ban users under 16 from social media from 10 December, forcing platforms to remove underage users. Malaysia plans a similar ban for those under 16 from 2026 and is encouraging parents to bring kids outdoors more. Other countries are watching to see how this plays out as they consider tougher age controls.