Mobile phone use will be banned during school hours at West Australian public schools from next year, with the state government saying it will reduce distraction from studies and encourage face-to-face social interaction.
Students will also be prohibited from using smartwatches, earbuds, headphones and tablets during class.
Pupils from kindergarten to Year 6 will not be permitted to have mobile phones in their possession at all, while students from Years 7 to 12 must have them turned off and out of sight.
Smartwatches must be set to aeroplane mode.
Those who contravene the rules will, in the first instance, be forced to hand over the device, which will be returned at the end of the day.
A parent will have to go to the school to collect the device for second contraventions.
Exemptions can be made by teachers including for educational use or medical conditions.
"We want to create the best possible learning environment for WA kids, and our policy will allow students to focus on their school work, without the distraction of a mobile phone," Premier Mark McGowan said.
"The policy will improve the health and wellbeing of students, by encouraging children to connect socially in class and in the schoolyard."
The "off and away all day" policy follows consultation with teachers, parents and students.
The announcement on Wednesday was made at Ocean Reef Senior High School, which has had its own ban since the start of 2018.
