The implementation of this ban marks a pivotal moment in Quebec’s educational landscape, reflecting a broader trend towards reevaluating the role of technology in learning environments.
The implementation of this ban marks a pivotal moment in Quebec’s educational landscape, reflecting a broader trend towards reevaluating the role of technology in learning environments.
Quebec’s educational system embarks on a significant shift as students return from the holiday break, facing a new rule that bans cellphones in classrooms. This change places Quebec as the second Canadian province, after Ontario, to implement such a policy.
Aimed at reducing classroom distractions, this directive, effective from Dec. 31, applies to public elementary and secondary schools, providing teachers with the discretion to use phones for specific educational purposes.
Ban background
Prior to the official announcement by Education Minister Bernard Drainville in August, several schools had already imposed limitations on cellphone use in classrooms. Nonetheless, the province-wide mandate formalizes these practices, with advocates for children’s welfare supporting stringent restrictions.
In a notable push for this ban, Étienne Bergeron, a high school teacher from Warwick, Quebec, initiated a petition urging the government to extend the cellphone prohibition to all areas of school property. Bergeron, who is actively involved in technology education, including programming and game design, distinguishes between constructive digital tool use and aimless online surfing. He expressed concerns about the detrimental social impact of unrestricted cell phone use among students.
“I would have gone a lot further. What I want is all personal devices banned in schools — even in the corridors, the public spaces, the libraries, everywhere,” Bergeron said.
Provincial mandate
The Quebec Education Department has mandated that by the end of 2023, all schools must have established policies to restrict cell phone usage in classrooms. The enforcement of these rules and corresponding penalties are left to the discretion of individual school boards. The largest French-language school board in Quebec, Centre de services scolaire de Montréal, and the English Montreal School Board are among those already having similar regulations in place.
Ontario, the first province to enact a cell phone ban in classrooms in 2019, has faced challenges in its implementation. Teachers’ unions have criticized the policy for lack of effective enforcement, noting that cellphones continue to appear in classrooms routinely. In response, the Toronto District School Board, Canada’s largest, is re-examining its approach to devise a more effective policy.
Global context
The movement to limit cell phone use in schools is not unique to Canada. France and China have implemented more stringent bans, prohibiting phones on school grounds for younger students. The U.K., Italy, and Portugal are also exploring or implementing similar policies. These measures are supported by findings, such as those in a UNESCO report, indicating that cellphones can disrupt learning.
Educational experts, like University of Ottawa’s Joel Westheimer, highlight the potential benefits of such bans. Reports from various jurisdictions indicate that reducing cell phone distractions can lead to increased student engagement, academic growth, and decreased feelings of loneliness.
“Lots of jurisdictions around the world … have implemented cellphone bans and have found very positive outcomes from that. Students are less distracted, they report more engagement, and there’s even been some measures of academic growth and also less loneliness,” Westheimer said.
Educational responses
In Quebec, the reaction to the cellphone ban is mixed. Mélanie Laviolette, president of the Fédération des comités de parents du Québec, supports the initiative, emphasizing the potential for an improved learning environment.
“What we hope is that our kids are in the best position to learn, so not having TikTok at their fingertips is a good thing,” Laviolette said.
Conversely, Katherine Korakakis, head of the English Parents’ Committee Association of Quebec, views the policy as a missed opportunity. She advocates for a more comprehensive approach, addressing broader issues like technology addiction, media literacy, and the spread of misinformation.
“I think courses on being a digital citizen, how to use technology, talking about addiction, talking about this type of stuff with the students, will make a much bigger impact than taking away a phone,” she said.
