Canadian schools impose restrictions on cell phone use
New rules in Canada: parents and teachers discuss the impact.
As the school year draws to a close, many students in Canada are getting ready for their summer break. However, changes await them in the new school year, as several provinces will implement new restrictions on mobile phone use in schools.
As of June, at least five provinces have announced plans to introduce these restrictions starting this fall. These provinces include British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. The new rules will ban the use of mobile phones during class time.
Jennifer Flanagan, the Executive Director of the charity Actua, expressed confidence in the benefits of these measures. She pointed out that distractions from mobile phones during lessons are already significant, so temporarily stopping their use during class could be a helpful step.
The rules for mobile phone use will vary by province. For instance, in Ontario, students will have to put their phones on silent mode and keep them out of sight during the school day, while in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, devices will need to be stored away.
The introduction of mobile phone restrictions in schools is linked to the growing recognition of the impact of these devices and social media on students' academic performance. However, it remains to be seen whether other provinces and territories will adopt similar measures before the new school year begins.
