If you’ve been following Singapore’s ongoing debate about screen time among students, here’s a major shift you’ll want to pay attention to. The Ministry of Education is rolling out a sweeping new rule: starting January 2026, secondary school students will not be allowed to use smartphones or smartwatches at any point during school hours—not even during recess, CCA, or after-class activities.
Let’s break down what’s changing and why it matters.
What’s Actually Changing
Right now, phones and smartwatches are only banned during lesson time. Students can still scroll during recess or send a quick message before CCA. That freedom disappears in 2026.
MOE’s updated guideline will cover every part of the school day:
- Recess
- Co-curricular activities
- Supplementary lessons
- Enrichment classes
- Remedial sessions
Devices must stay in lockers or school bags until dismissal. Schools can make exceptions when absolutely necessary, but those will be rare.
Primary schools have already been following this stricter version since the Grow Well SG initiative began. Some secondary schools voluntarily adopted the same approach earlier and saw promising results—better focus, more physical activity, and students actually talking to one another during breaks.
Why the Government Is Tightening the Rules
Here’s the thing. Multiple ministries have been sounding the alarm about excessive screen time among kids. A national survey earlier this year found that a large number of children are blowing past recommended screen time limits.
So MOE, MOH, and MSF teamed up under Grow Well SG to push healthier digital habits. This smartphone restriction is one of the key steps in that plan.
This isn’t just about cutting off entertainment. It’s about rebuilding attention spans, reducing dependence on constant digital stimulation, and giving students space to interact face-to-face.
Enforcement: How Strict Will Schools Be?
Schools still have the freedom to shape their discipline policies, but they’ll need to align with MOE’s guideline. The approach won’t be punishment-first. Teachers are expected to guide students, speak with parents, and address underlying issues when misuse happens.
If students repeatedly break the rules, schools may introduce disciplinary measures—but again, that’s part of a broader learning process, not just policing behavior.
Interestingly, junior colleges and Millennia Institute won’t face the same full-day ban. MOE says older students should be mature enough to manage their devices responsibly, though using them in class will still require permission.
Earlier “Sleep Mode” for Learning Devices
Another update landed on the same day. Personal learning devices that students use for schoolwork will automatically enter sleep mode at 10:30 PM instead of 11 PM.
The idea is simple: help students disconnect earlier and nudge them toward better sleep. MOE is also urging parents who opted for looser after-school restrictions to match this new schedule at home.
What Parents Should Expect
Minister of State Jasmin Lau said schools will brief parents in detail ahead of the rollout. Expect information through:
- Start-of-year talks
- Parent briefings
- Student handbooks
- School websites
The goal is to make sure families understand not just the rules, but the thinking behind them. The ministries are pushing for a strong school-home partnership so students feel supported, not punished.
The Bigger Picture
This move marks one of Singapore’s most decisive steps yet to reset how young people interact with technology. The government isn’t saying technology is bad—it’s acknowledging that the balance has tipped too far.
And honestly, it’s hard to argue with the intention. Anyone who’s walked into a school canteen and seen an entire table of students staring at screens instead of one another knows exactly what MOE is trying to fix.
The next year will be spent preparing students, parents, and schools for the change. Once 2026 hits, Singapore’s secondary schools will look noticeably different—quieter, maybe, but also more present.
Whether this becomes a model for other countries to follow is something to watch. For now, Singapore is taking the lead on rethinking digital life in the classroom.
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