AUSTRALIA: Phones blocked for 5 million teens – In Cyprus, they are quiet in classrooms
Social media platforms followed the law, shutting down nearly 4.7 million accounts in the first month. In Cyprus, mobile phones have been silenced in classrooms during school hours since October 2025.
The law states that phones must stay in students’ bags, with a focus on information and persuasion for gradual implementation. Repeated rule-breaking may lead to penalties like community service or expulsion.
Authorities in Australia and, to some extent, in Cyprus aim to protect young people through classroom measures. They want to create a safer learning environment while encouraging a healthy relationship with technology from an early age.
