MOE DMA for PLDs: What Schools Control vs What Parents Can Set (Secondary Guide)

Q: What does MOE DMA for PLDs cover?
A: A source-backed guide for secondary parents on MOE’s Device Management Application (DMA) for Personal Learning Devices (PLDs): what it does, what schools control during school hours, and what parents can set after school.

TL;DR
- MOE states all PLDs have DMA installed to support schools and parents in managing device use with students.
- During school hours, MOE states schools set the default DMA settings (including web filtering and permissions) to support teaching and learning.
- After school hours, MOE states parents can select the level of control or set similar restrictions at home.
- MOE states suspected DMA bypasses are investigated, with school-based consequences if a misdemeanour is established.

Status: MOE's enhanced screen-use press release remains the current source for the January 2026 secondary-school phone/smartwatch restriction and 10.30pm PLD DMA sleep-hour shift; the MOE page shows a last-updated date of 8 January 2026.

1 What is DMA (in MOE’s words)?

MOE describes DMA as the “device management application” installed on PLDs to support schools and parents in managing device use with the student. MOE forum letter reply (16 Apr 2024)

MOE also states DMA is present across PLDs used for learning, and that it is paired with cyber wellness education.