A Sydney private school is moving to ban smartphones for its younger students next year, instead advising parents to provide Nokia flip phones for the children. Cranbrook School in Bellevue Hill, part of Sydney’s eastern suburbs, says the policy responds to the government’s upcoming social media ban for users under 16, which takes effect soon.
Michele Marquet, head of Cranbrook’s junior school, told families that inappropriate smartphone use—especially on the way to and from school, including on public transport—has created ongoing issues. At Cranbrook, phones are not allowed during school hours, and students in years 3 to 6 may have a phone only for commuting to and from school. Under the new rule beginning next year, the allowed phones for before- and after-school use must be a Nokia 2660 Flip 4G or an Opel Mobile Flip Phone, both of which typically cost under $150 depending on where they’re bought.
Marquet explained that the change aims to keep students focused on learning and more engaged with friends during the school day and while traveling to and from school, whether on public transport or on foot.
Cranbrook will join other institutions in restricting smartphones for certain grade levels, including Queenwood in Mosman and Pymble Ladies’ College in Pymble, both private girls’ schools in Sydney. Additionally, about 80 Catholic schools in Western Sydney will ban mobile phones for the start of the 2026 school year.
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese Chief Executive Officer Jack de Groot emphasized that, while phones have a place in everyday life, the school environment benefits from a phones-off policy. He noted that the philosophy of prioritizing learning and social interaction at school remains central.
In New South Wales, phones have already been banned in all public schools.
Under-16 social media ban
The under-16 social media ban requires platforms to verify users’ ages and carries fines up to $49.5 million for noncompliance. The restrictions cover a range of platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, X and YouTube, with some like Kick drawing questions about whether they should be classified as social media.
Safety authorities are signaling that additional platforms could be included. Some companies have begun guiding teens to download their data in preparation for account freezes. For instance, Snapchat announced that from December 10, users believed to be under 16 will need age verification through a connected ID method, such as government-issued ID, a bank connection, or a selfie, with facial age estimation applied to the image. Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, has announced similar measures.
Government stance on the policy
Communications Minister Anika Wells stated that the government remains confident about prevailing in a High Court challenge against the social media ban, which was initiated by 15-year-olds backed by digital rights advocates arguing the measure silences youth. The court has agreed to hear the case. Wells told Sky News that the government is preparing a strong argument and plans to dedicate the summer to the High Court effort to ensure the law stands.
The plaintiffs—Noah Jones and Macy Neyland—described the ban as lazy policy and argued it would push teens toward creating fake profiles. Jones criticized the blanket approach to under-16s instead of investing in safety programs, while Neyland argued that the policy limits political discourse for future voters. They filed the constitutional challenge with support from the Digital Freedom Project.
Commentary
This wave of school policies and age-verification efforts highlights a broader debate about balancing safety and freedom in youth online life. Do these bans meaningfully reduce harm, or do they drive young people toward alternative, potentially less regulated spaces? What responsibilities should schools bear in shaping digital literacy and resilience in students? Share your thoughts in the comments on whether strict on-campus policies or inclusive digital education approaches better serve young people’s development.
