As a recent second time around parent I have been exposed to the incredible addiction that school children are forced to endure day after day – screens.
It has tickled me pink to see how addicted children denied access to screens will watch anything that moves on a surface slightly similar to a screen.
You should try staring into a window reflection to get that feeling!
But, I have also had to deal with the aftermath of addiction and helping children come down from the impossible highs they go through actually thinking that they are now able to do the stupid staged YouTube stunts, the contrived highly irritating Americanese Shouting and the abuse learned from YouTube channels run by entitled Darwin Award ready idiots.
But, as per normal, I digress.
The Linkside High School will, from January 2026, not allow any smart devices, watches or headphones onto campus.
Next step – business will retract the BYO Device programme – productivity will soar and Zucks and Elon wil cry.
The following is the announcement released by Linkside High School:
Linkside High School will be a smart phone free, smart watch free and head phone free campus from January 2026.
As part of our ongoing commitment to academic excellence and improving not only our pass rate but also the quality of our learners’ social & emotional development, the SGB and SMT and staff have made this very important and progressive decision.
From the beginning of next year, Linkside High will operate as a cell phone, smart watch and head phone free campus.
This decision is grounded in both educational science and the unique environment in which we are privileged to learn.
Why this matters for learning:
Modern cell phones deliver rapid, high-intensity sensory input, bright colours, instant notifications, constant movement, and fast-changing content. This overstimulates the brain and temporarily shifts our brain-wave patterns. When a learner moves from this high-sensory digital world into a classroom with a whiteboard, a textbook, or a teacher-led discussion, the brain may suddenly find the environment “under-stimulating.”
This leads to:
- Reduced focus,
- Increased yawning and fatigue,
- Slower cognitive processing,
- Difficulty maintaining attention in lessons.
By removing this overstimulation during the school day, we allow the brain to settle into a natural, steady state that supports deep learning, concentration, and meaningful academic engagement.
Why this matters for wellbeing and connection:
Linkside High School offers learners a rare gift: the ability to connect with their teachers, their peers, and their learning without unnecessary digital noise.
A phone-free campus encourages:
- Real friendships
- Face-to-face communication
- Active participation in sport and school life
- Presence, awareness, and community
This is not about restriction; it’s about unlocking potential.
It is about giving every Linksider the best possible conditions to thrive mentally, socially, and academically, and to prepare them for a future where focus, discipline, and genuine human interaction will set them apart.
Thank you for supporting our vision to cultivate a focused, high-performing, deeply connected learning community.
