Blog · Schools
Saudi Arabia's School Phone Ban: What Schools Need to Know in 2026
Yes. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Education banned students from bringing mobile phones into schools at the start of the 2021-22 school year. School administrations may allow a phone out of necessity, for example for a medical condition, if it is kept with the administration.
The Ministry of Education ban, announced at the end of August 2021, applies to students in schools across the Kingdom, at all levels and in boys' and girls' schools. Phones are not allowed inside school facilities. School administrations may permit a phone out of necessity, such as a medical condition, provided it is kept with the administration. Filming or photographing inside schools is treated as a violation.
The ban came days after the ministry had first allowed phones so students could show vaccination status in the Tawakkalna app as schools reopened after 18 months of pandemic closures. It reversed that decision and moved health checks to the Tawakkalna web platform and printed records. The Public Prosecution warned that filming in schools can bring penalties under cybercrime law of up to one year in prison and a SR500,000 fine.
Enforcement sits with school administrations, which keep any phones allowed by exception. The ban was welcomed by lawyers, teachers and students, who cited privacy, bullying via photos posted online and classroom distraction. In 2022 some Saudi lawyers argued that schools confiscating phones without a court order was unlawful, so clear written procedures matter.
Whatever the Ministry rules require, lockable pouches let students keep their own phone, locked, from the first bell to the last, so the school does not collect, store or answer for devices. Before The Internet ships lockable phone pouches and unlocking bases worldwide, including to Saudi Arabia, and can print the school's name or crest on them. Schools buy them outright: one price, no subscription, lease or per-student annual licence. Send us your student numbers and any written quote you already have, and we will beat it.
Frequently asked questions
Are there exemptions for medical needs?
Yes. School administrations may allow a phone out of necessity, such as a medical condition, if it is kept with the administration.
Does the ban cover girls' and boys' schools?
Yes. It applies to students in all schools across the Kingdom.
What are the penalties for filming at school?
Filming inside schools is a violation, and the Public Prosecution has warned it can lead to up to one year in prison and a SR500,000 fine under cybercrime law.
Related reading
School phone bans by country · Phone-free schools toolkit · How to roll out phone pouches in a school
Written by the team at Before The Internet, a Toronto-based phone-free company that rents lockable phone pouches for events across North America and sells them to schools and venues worldwide, shipping purchases to any country.
Planning a phone-free school?
Buying for next term or next year? Send your student numbers and target start date. A person replies within 24 hours with a real figure for your budget, and we ship worldwide.
Name
Work email
Phone
Event date
Headcount
Not sure what you need yet?
Keep reading
Trade shows and launches
Phone-free concerts and festivals