Western Australia to ban iPads for early primary classes in new screen-time crackdown

As term 4 commences, Premier Roger Cook unveiled a “back to basics” trial that bans iPads and laptops in kindergarten through Year 2 classrooms across ten Western Australian primary schools. Under the plan, young pupils will no longer use tablets for tasks such as tracing letters or solving math problems, aiming to curb early exposure to screens. For older students, the government will establish a new advisory panel tasked with drafting a comprehensive digital learning and screen-use strategy for the entire public-school system.

The initiative responds to Australia’s worst-ever reading and numeracy outcomes recorded in a recent global survey. Similar measures are slated for Victoria and New South Wales, which intend to restrict screen time for younger cohorts from next year. Officials hope the move will improve foundational skills and set a precedent for nationwide digital-education policy.