Alberta banning cellphones in classrooms starting next fall

The province says cellphones and personal devices will no longer be allowed in Alberta classrooms next school year.

The change comes after nearly 70,000 people took part in an online survey weighing in on school cellphone and social media policies.

“The survey results were clear,” said Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides in a Monday afternoon update. “The use of cellphones is of significant concern and that additional measures should be taken to limit cellphone use in our classrooms.”

Effective this fall for the 2024-25 school year, all personal devices for students between kindergarten and Grade 12 will need to be turned off and out of sight during class time. Students will only be permitted to use the devices during breaks.

The province says there will be exceptions made for students who use mobile devices for health and medical needs.

Nicolaides cited many studies showing the harmful effects of smartphones and social media in schools. He says the new uniform policies will help to limit distractions and improve student mental health.

He says school boards will be given the flexibility to determine how they enforce the new rules and the course of disciplinary action for non-compliance.

“Personal mobile devices will also be permitted for educational or other purposes, as determined by a principal or equivalent on a case-by-case basis,” Nicolaides said.

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An online survey, which ran from April 16 to May 3, asked parents, teachers, and school staff whether students should be allowed to use cellphones in class, their thoughts on different approaches to cellphone use that could be applied for students in different grades, and how potential restrictions on cellphone use could be implemented in schools.

Educators also participated in virtual engagement sessions that took place in April.

The teachers’ association, the College of Alberta School Superintendents and the Alberta School Councils’ Association welcomed Monday’s announcement.

“Standards for mobile device use during instructional time, which acknowledge exceptions and school authority autonomy, will ensure a focus on learning,” Kerry Bodell, president of the Alberta School Councils’ Association, said in a release.

Calgary’s public school district also said in a statement to CityNews it would support the changes.

“The Calgary Board of Education supports the government’s intention of creating quality learning environments that support the health, wellbeing and academic achievement of students,” the division said. “We will be taking time to review yesterday’s provincial policy announcement and what it will mean for CBE schools next year.

“We will share more information with staff and families in advance of the 2024-25 school year.”

Up until now, Alberta school authorities set their own policies on how students use cellphones in schools. The province now follows the lead of Quebec, Ontario and B.C., where governments have already announced or implemented cellphone restrictions in schools.

With files from The Canadian Press