A proposed ‘digital detox’ announced by Australia’s education ministers includes reforms aimed at strengthening children’s learning and supporting high school teachers, according to Flinders University senior lecturer Dr Tianchong (Alex) Wang.
In commentary circulated by Flinders University, Wang said the announcement reflects growing concerns about excessive screen exposure, digital distractions and the potential impact of AI on children’s independent thinking.
Wang argued the policy also creates an opportunity for schools to make more deliberate decisions about technology use, shifting focus from the amount of time students spend online to what they do, how they engage and which learning processes are involved.
He said a key distinction is between technology that “substitutes for thinking” and technology that supports it, warning that heavy reliance on generative AI may reduce opportunities for students to develop independent reasoning. At the same time, he said teacher-guided activities can be designed to encourage students to question, evaluate and reflect.
Wang also pointed to a return to pen-and-paper assessments as raising broader questions about how different assessment methods measure students’ knowledge, thinking processes and capabilities.
He said a “more purposeful, developmentally appropriate approach” to technology in education would need to protect foundational learning and independent thinking, while ensuring students still build digital and AI literacy. He added that accessibility and digital equity would also be important considerations.
