(MENAFN) Singapore will implement an all-day prohibition on smartphones and smartwatches for secondary school students beginning January 2026, extending current restrictions that only cover classroom hours.

The Ministry of Education unveiled the policy Sunday as part of broader initiatives designed to cultivate healthier digital consumption patterns among adolescents.

The updated regulations mandate that student devices remain secured in designated storage locations or school bags for the duration of school hours. Educational institutions retain authority to approve exemptions "in necessary circumstances," the ministry stated.

Officials cited compelling health evidence for the crackdown: "Screen use among students has been shown to displace important activities such as sleep, physical activity and social interactions with friends and family, and is linked to poorer holistic well-being," the ministry emphasized.

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