NSW school students could soon regress to the days of Nokia bricks, playing Snake and monophonic ringtones.

The State Government has launched an inquiry into “dumbphone” policies: banning smartphones on school grounds and instead allowing only basic “old-style” mobile phones.

The study is being led by child psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg.

“These are phones that don't have a camera, that don't access the internet… but they still afford young people the opportunity to communicate with their parents which I think is a legitimate role,” he said.

The project will look at smartphone use in schools from kindergarten to Year 12.

Dr Carr-Gregg will also look into cyber-bullying.

“We know that it's disrupting learning in schools,” Dr Carr-Gregg said.

“And we're particularly interested in the impact of this in primary schools where an astonishing number of young people have access to Snapchat, Instagram and other social media which clearly raises questions about whether it's age appropriate.

“I think the main issue is when you've got one-in-four kids under the age of 12 being stalked and harassed and abused online — we can't sit down and do nothing.”

NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes said it is about balancing the risks and rewards of social media.

“We recognise that young people have access to technology that previous generations could only have dreamed of,” he said.

“The review will look at everything, but I think the best way to respond to technology is not simply to ban it, we likely to need more nuanced responses.”

Dr Carr-Gregg said smartphones can have an educational function.

“There are teachers who have told me they can turn phones into literal Sale of the Century buzzers — so they can use the phones in quizzes,” he said.

“You can get instant answers, you do get wider access to information, you can get instant video access from using mobile phones, but it's got to be teacher directed.”