A New Plymouth High School is turning wifi off during break time, in a bid to get students to talk and interact with each other.

Francis Douglas Memorial College adopted the idea about three weeks ago.

Principal Martin Chamberlain said generally the school encourages students to bring cellphones to school.

But Chamberlain said this had led to a small number of pupils who were new to the school taking advantage of the unrestricted internet and being glued to their devices.

"The fixation that some students have during break times to be glued to their screens is physically and socially unhealthy.

Mr Chamberlain said only a small group of students protested the idea when it was first announced.

"We're seeing more students up and about and involved so those students who used to sit in a row, shoulder to shoulder but not talking to each other, those have broken up to some extent."

The college currently provides campus-wide wireless internet to help with student learning. It is also free for communication and recreational use.

LISTEN ABOVE: Martin Chamberlain speaks to Larry Williams