DepEd Davao City reminds schools of class-hour phone ban and social media consent rules

The Department of Education (DepEd) Davao City Division has reminded parents, teachers and learners that cellphones are not allowed during class hours and that schools must get consent before featuring learners on social media, according to SunStar.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Oct. 26, the division shared a Sept. 8 memorandum from DepEd Undersecretary for Governance and Operations Malcolm Garma restating the rules. DepEd's Learner Rights and Protection Office in Davao Region had circulated the same memorandum on Oct. 23.

The memorandum refers to DepEd Order No. 6, series of 2026, issued March 24, which bars learners and school personnel from using cellphones and other portable electronic devices during class hours to reduce distractions. Schools may allow exceptions for academic purposes, such as accessing educational platforms and digital learning materials, and for emergencies including disasters and medical crises.

DepEd Davao Region spokesperson Jenielito Atillo said in May that devices of learners who break the rule would be temporarily confiscated. On a first offense, the phone is returned at the end of the class period and the incident is recorded on a confiscation slip. On a second offense, the school holds the device until the end of the school day and formally notifies the parents. For third and later offenses, the device stays at the office of the school head or principal until a parent picks it up, and the learner may face disciplinary action.

Atillo said at the Davao Peace and Security Press Forum on May 6 that such discipline would not be punitive. "We don't actually impose punitive sanctions that will destroy the psychological, emotional aspect of a child," he said. He added that learners and teachers may still bring phones to school and use them outside class hours. Teaching and nonteaching staff who violate the rules may face administrative action.

The memorandum also requires public schools to get authorization from their Schools Division Office before entering partnerships involving content creation, and to consult learners and parents and obtain their consent before posting learners online. DepEd prohibits activities that could expose learners to exploitation, abuse, cyberbullying, harassment or unauthorized disclosure of personal information.

According to the department, unauthorized gadget use and content creation involving learners, staff or school facilities could disrupt classes, compromise privacy and put learners at risk. School heads, child protection committees and other DepEd personnel are tasked with ensuring school activities meet child protection standards.