Yes, schools can take your phone, especially if you use it during class, break school rules, or for disruptive/inappropriate activities like cyberbullying; most schools have policies requiring phones to be off and away, with confiscation as a common consequence, though serious offenses might lead to suspension, and some regions (like NSW, Australia) have near-total bans.
Your school can confiscate your phone if you use it without permission. Your phone may be kept by the school staff for short periods of time for instances of less-serious misuse. Less serious misuse includes using your phone or causing disruption in class.
For this reason; attendance of 95% and above is considered as acceptable, attendance below 90% is a concern, and a child with an attendance rate below 85% is classed as a Persistent Absentee.
It is important to understand your rights when the police demand that you unlock your phone. The Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable search and seizure and gives you the right to refuse without a warrant. If the police have a valid warrant, you will likely be legally required to unlock your phone.
Mobile phone companies are now banned from selling customers locked handsets, under new Ofcom rules that come into force today. Some companies have still been selling mobile phones that can't be used on other networks, unless they are unlocked.
Siri won't read messages, or use any app with private data, with any model iPhone if the phone is locked. It's a security feature, so someone who picks up your phone other than you can't read your messages.
The Fourth Amendment protects Americans from unlawful searches and seizures. The judge ruled that forcing non-suspects on the premises to open their phones is a violation of their Fourth Amendment rights.
In Australia, police generally cannot force you to unlock your phone without a specific court order, like a Digital Access Order, but refusing a valid court order is a serious criminal offence with penalties like hefty fines or jail time. While you can refuse a request for your PIN/password in everyday situations, police can seize your phone if they suspect it has evidence of a serious crime, and then apply for an order to compel you to provide access. It's crucial to seek legal advice if police demand your password.
Teachers can confiscate your phone, iPad or laptop if they reasonably suspect there's inappropriate material on it or if it's been used to record fights or other criminal activity.
Australia has new phone laws focusing on two main areas: stricter rules for mobile phone use while driving, rolling out nationwide from mid-2025 with camera enforcement and heavy fines, and a landmark ban effective December 2025, requiring a minimum age of 16 for certain social media platforms, with parents unable to consent for under-16s, aimed at protecting youth mental health. These laws prohibit holding phones, even at traffic lights, and target harmful online content for teens.
According to Youth Law Australia, “Each school makes their own rules and sets reasonable punishments for breaking these rules”. The teacher is within their administrative right to hold students after the bell if it's to the benefit of their education, or simply as a punishment for misbehaviour.
If a 14-year-old refuses school, it signals a serious underlying issue like anxiety, depression, bullying, or academic struggles, requiring parents to first talk openly and empathetically with the teen to find the cause, then collaborate with the school (counselors, teachers) to create support plans, and seek professional help (therapists, GPs) if needed, as legal action against parents is a rare last resort after exhausting all support, though parents have a legal duty to ensure education, says ReachOut Parents, Child Mind Institute, and Empowering Parents.
There are many policies in schools now that prohibit any type of touching between teacher and student. Colleges of education also warn future teachers of the pitfalls of hugging students. In contrast, some elementary schools encourage hugging students because it may be the only affection some students get daily.
There is no government guidance on this, so it is up to the school to decide what their rules are. If you are not happy with a school's toilet policy, you should first discuss your child's specific needs with their teacher or headteacher to see if you can work out a solution.
Gen Z is buying dumb phones to combat digital addiction, improve mental health, and regain focus by reducing constant notifications and social media comparison, allowing for more present, intentional tech use with simpler devices that offer calls/texts without the overwhelming features of smartphones, leading to better sleep, productivity, and less anxiety, says www.abc.net.au. This trend is a conscious move towards digital wellness, prioritizing real-world connections and reducing "compare and despair" cycles from curated online lives, The Guardian.
A re-entry ban often applies to people who have overstayed their visa in Australia or had their visa cancelled, thereafter preventing them from being granted another visa to travel to Australia for 3 years after the date of their departure.
Yes, in many places, you can briefly touch a phone in a cradle for specific tasks like making/receiving calls or using navigation, but rules vary by location and license type, with learners/provisional drivers generally banned from any phone interaction; other activities like texting, scrolling, or watching videos are almost always illegal, even in a cradle, and it's often best to pull over for any interaction to be safe.
The 70/30 rule in teaching generally means students should be actively engaged (talking, practicing, applying) for 70% of the time, while the teacher provides instruction, feedback, and prompts for the remaining 30%, shifting focus from teacher-led lecturing to student-centered application for better learning and fluency, especially in language learning. It's a guideline to maximize student participation, fostering deeper understanding through practice rather than passive listening.
If a student refuses to pouch their cell phone and/or electronic devices: The student will be assigned In-School Suspension until they agree to store their device(s) in their Yondr Pouch.
In Australia, "88 days" refers to the mandatory period of specified regional work that Working Holiday visa holders (subclass 417 & 462) must complete to be eligible for a second (or third) year visa. It's essentially three calendar months of regional work in approved industries like agriculture, tourism (in specific areas), or construction, though it doesn't always take exactly 88 calendar days to complete due to part-time/full-time differences and industry variations, requiring careful tracking.
This law introduces a mandatory minimum age of 16 for accounts on certain social media platforms. It came into effect on 10 December 2025, and parents cannot give their consent to let under-16s use these platforms.