Ban the use of cell phones and personal devices in Alberta classrooms

Starting next school year, restrictions will be placed on students’ personal mobile devices, which officials say could harm students’ achievement and mental health.

“Cell phone use is a serious concern and additional measures must be taken to reduce cell phone use in our classrooms,” Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said at a conference in Calgary on Monday.

“Students will no longer be able to use personal mobile devices during classes, and I am further announcing that access to social networking sites in schools will be restricted.”

Officials are announcing the changes after conversations with parents, teachers, educational partners and students.

Nicolaides said he is “confident” the changes will reduce distractions, maximize the use of class time, improve student health and reduce cyberbullying.

The banned devices include:

• Mobile phones;
• Smartphones;
• Smart watches;
• Headphones; AND
• Other personal electronic devices.

There will be situations in which students will be able to use these devices, Nicolaides said, but it will be limited to medical or health reasons, special educational needs or if recommended by a teacher or principal on a case-by-case basis.

“These rules represent minimum standards, and the board has the autonomy and flexibility to implement additional restrictions if it chooses,” he said.

“During classes, all devices must be turned off and kept out of sight.”

The province will leave enforcement of the law to school boards, but parents must be notified if their children violate the new rules.

“We know that personal mobile devices can be an important research and educational tool. Therefore, personal mobile devices will also be permitted for educational or other purposes, at the individual discretion of the principal or his counterpart.”

Grade 11 student Ashita Chouhan moved to Calgary from India, where her school completely banned cell phones. She says she notices a difference in distractions when they have them in class, but she’s also not sure whether it would be beneficial to remove them from classrooms in Alberta.

“In Canadian education, education is very technology-focused because applications like D2L and Powerschool are technology-based, so honestly it would be very difficult to operate without technology,” she said, but added that devices are also being misused.

“People in the back of the classroom are talking on their phones, playing games, taking pictures of each other, texting each other, and taking pictures of each other. So I see it as more of a distraction than a help.”

Another high school senior, Noah Bakana, admits he may be guilty of using his phone in class, but thinks it will be difficult for the school to enforce the new rules.

“It’s kind of an addiction too, so I’m not sure how they could keep it straight, but I don’t think the students respect it either.”

Ryden Luc doesn’t like the idea of ​​not having his phone on him in class.

“It makes me feel insecure. I feel like my cell phone can also be used for study and educational purposes, but it also distracts me, so I see the good and the bad.”

The Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) said it supports the new rules.

“CCSD wants all of our students to succeed. We therefore support the government’s guidance on the limited use of personal mobile devices and social media platforms in schools,” the statement read.

“CCSD will review this new information and share further details with staff and families in the future.”

“The Calgary Board of Education supports the government’s intention to create high-quality learning environments that support the health, well-being and academic achievement of students. We will take time to review today’s provincial policy announcement and what it means for CBE schools next year,” the Calgary Board of Education said in an emailed statement.

“We will make more information available to employees and families before the start of the 2024-25 school year.”

Nicolaides said the survey collected about 68,000 responses, and 90 percent of respondents were concerned about the proliferation of devices in classrooms.

These principles apply to all public, separate, French-speaking, charter and independent school authorities.

(With files from Teri Fikowski)