Parents and schools support MOE's tighter smartphone rules

Students more focused and engaged with peers, say schools with comparable policies

- Gabrielle Chan

From January 2026, secondary school students will not be allowed to use smartphones and smartwatches outside lesson time under tightened screen-use guidelines announced by the Ministry of Education on Nov 30. ST FILE PHOTO

As secondary school students brace themselves for stricter smartphone rules in 2026, parents say they are largely supportive as these complement similar limits at home.

Schools that The Straits Times spoke to also said they have long implemented comparable policies, and the result is that students are more focused in class and more engaged with their peers.

From January 2026, secondary school students will not be allowed to use smartphones and smartwatches outside lesson time - including recess, between lessons and during co-curricular activities (CCAs) - under tightened screen-use guidelines announced by the Ministry of Education (MOE) on Nov 30.

Currently, students are barred from using these devices only during regular curriculum time.

The stricter rules, which will also apply during supplementary, enrichment and remedial lessons, are part of a broader push to help children and parents develop healthier digital habits.

These guidelines have already been in place for primary school pupils from 2025.

A mother of two teenagers, Mrs Sher-li Torrey, 48, said the new guidelines align with her own efforts to manage her children's screen time.

The founder of social enterprise Mums@Work Singapore has limited app time and phone use hours at home for her 13-year-old son.

"Younger teenagers are still trying to set their own boundaries," she said. "With the school sending the same message, at least it comes across as a united effort to help youth manage their screen time better."