The federal government is pushing for a “digital detox” in schools.

In a new report, it outlines growing concerns about the use of digital technologies in classrooms. This includes concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) harming children’s critical thinking, concentration and problem-solving skills.

The government now plans to reduce the time students spend on screens and limit AI use at school to improve learning. Education Minister Jason Clare told ABC Radio National on Thursday,

I’m not making the argument here to burn the iPads […] but I am saying that there’s a pretty good argument here for more pen and paper and less tech.

I’m not making the argument here to burn the iPads […] but I am saying that there’s a pretty good argument here for more pen and paper and less tech.

This position reverses a decades-long trend of expanding the use of digital technologies in Australian classrooms.

What does this report mean for schools? And what’s missing in our discussion about screens in schools so far?

Read more: Education ministers are worried about technology use in schools. Should they be?

What’s in the report?

State and federal education ministers have agreed to consider national limits on screen use. This builds on screen-time limits already flagged in New South Wales and Victoria and soon to be piloted in Western Australia. It also follows international examples such as Norway and New York.

The report also flags:

some of the Year 5 NAPLAN tests will return to a written assessment (it is currently all done online)

some of the Year 5 NAPLAN tests will return to a........

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