Taiwan revises school mobile phone rules

​TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Education announced Friday plans to revise guidelines on student cell phone use in schools.

The regulations for mobile device use in schools below high school, established in 2019, require mobile devices to remain off during school hours except for teacher-led learning activities or emergency contact. These guidelines were developed through discussions involving teachers, parents, and students.

In response to feedback from a Legislative Yuan public hearing in October, the MOE plans to maintain the general principle of turning off devices during school hours and introduce stricter measures like unified safekeeping by schools or classes. A draft revision is expected before the school year begins in February, officials said.

An inter-ministerial consultation held in November reviewed mobile device regulations for children and adolescents in about 20 countries, finding that most do not completely ban students from carrying cell phones. This approach aligns with Taiwan's practice of allowing schools to establish their own rules.

The ministry will invite stakeholder representatives to review the revised guidelines to help schools manage mobile phone use, safekeeping, and on-campus policies effectively.