Australian state bans smart glasses in all schools from 2027

The Australian state of Victoria has banned smart glasses in all of its schools and camps, starting in 2027. The rule covers public, independent and Catholic schools. It is one of the broadest school bans on the gadget so far, and it points to where other schools may be heading.

What changed

The Victorian government announced the statewide ban this week. Victoria is not a small place. Its population was estimated at upwards of 7.1 million people as of March 2026.

Gabrielle Williams, the state's Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, explained the thinking. She said the state is setting clear rules so students can focus on learning and families can feel confident their children are in a respectful and safe school environment. In her words, "Smart glasses have no place in our classrooms or on school grounds."

Why schools are worried

Cheating is the big concern. Smart glasses can pull up information discreetly, without a student taking out a phone. They have already been picked up quickly as a way to cheat on exams.

• In China, some students rent smart glasses to cheat when they cannot afford to buy a pair.
• In the U.S., the College Board banned smart glasses for anyone taking the SATs.

What it looks like in the U.S.

American rules are more scattered. Bans have mostly come district by district, including in school districts across Florida and Massachusetts. Utah is the exception noted here. Its statewide law that keeps phones out of school also covers smart glasses.

The wider picture is that places that accept smart glasses are getting fewer. Schools look like an obvious place to start, much as courts in states like New York have restricted them.

What to do

If your child has smart glasses, or wants a pair, check the school's rules first. More schools are likely to ban them, so a gift that works today may be unwelcome at school next year.

Some things are not yet known. The material does not say how Victoria will enforce the ban or what the penalties will be. It also does not say whether other states or countries will follow with statewide rules.