Should the government mandate a nationwide ban on student mobile phones in all primary and secondary schools?

A growing number of Australian states have introduced policies restricting mobile phone use in public schools to combat classroom distraction and declining mental health. These 'off and away all day' policies aim to create a safer, more engaged learning environment with immediate improvements in student behavior. Supporters argue that a strict ban forces students to socialize face-to-face and removes a toxic source of anxiety and cyberbullying from the educational setting. Opponents argue that a blanket ban is a logistical nightmare for teachers to enforce, removes a vital safety lifeline for anxious parents, and fails to prepare teenagers for a modern digital workplace.