MOE Phone Ban 2026 (Handphone): Secondary School Smartphone & Smartwatch Rules
23 Dec 2025, 00:00 Z
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Q: What does MOE Phone Ban 2026 (Handphone): Secondary School Smartphone & Smartwatch Rules cover?
A: A source-backed summary of MOE's January 2026 phone and smartwatch rules for Singapore secondary schools, plus a parent-student checklist and FAQ.
TL;DR
From January 2026, Singapore secondary school students may not use smartphones or smartwatches during school hours, including recess, CCAs, and supplementary/enrichment/remedial lessons.
Devices stay in lockers or school bags; schools may allow use by exception.
Smartwatches with messaging/calls are covered; POSB Smart Buddy Watches remain allowed for e-payment.
PLD default sleep hours move to 10:30pm (from 11:00pm).
Status: MOE press release on enhanced screen-use measures last checked 2026-01-01.
1 MOE handphone policy update for January 2026 (secondary schools)
From January 2026, MOE says Singapore secondary school students cannot use smartphones or smartwatches during school hours, including non-lesson time. Devices must be kept in designated storage (e.g., lockers) or in school bags, with use allowed only by exception when necessary. Smartwatches are included because they enable messaging and apps that can distract from learning.
This restriction applies to personal smartphones and smartwatches that students bring to school. It does not replace the PLD/DMA framework for school-managed learning devices.
Source: MOE press release (30 Nov 2025)
2 Why MOE tightened the rules
MOE frames the January 2026 change as part of its broader push to promote healthier, more purposeful screen use among students. The press release positions the tighter rules as an enhancement to reduce distractions during school time and reinforce healthier digital habits.
MOE’s earlier Grow Well SG guidance already discouraged smartphone use during lesson time. The 2026 update extends the restriction to non-lesson time for secondary schools.
Sources: MOE press release (30 Nov 2025), Grow Well SG press release (21 Jan 2025)
3 What counts as "school hours"
MOE spells out that school hours are not limited to class time in its 30 Nov 2025 press release. The 2026 restriction covers:
- Lesson time.
- Recess.
- Co-curricular activities (CCAs).
- Supplementary, enrichment, or remedial lessons.



