Starting in the fall, Alberta is set to ban cellphones in kindergarten to Grade 12 classrooms. Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides explained that while cellphones can aid in learning, they can also be a distraction and contribute to cyberbullying. Exceptions will be made for students who require phones for health reasons, such as monitoring blood sugar levels. Personal devices must be turned off and kept out of sight during class time, with school internet networks restricting access to social media, according to Mr. Nicolaides.
Previously, Alberta allowed school boards to establish varying cellphone policies, but concerns from teachers and parents about disruptions to learning prompted the new province-wide ban. Mr. Nicolaides emphasized the importance of addressing the potential risks to students’ mental well-being and academic success.
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Following Quebec, Ontario, and B.C.’s lead, Alberta joins in implementing restrictions on cellphone use in schools. A survey conducted by the Alberta government, involving over 68,000 stakeholders, revealed that approximately 90% of respondents expressed concerns about cellphone use in educational settings.
Mr. Nicolaides stated that the enforcement and implementation of the new rules will be the responsibility of school boards, aligning with provincial guidelines. Parents and guardians are advised to stay informed through their local school authorities for further details.
In a separate development, the Alberta Teachers’ Association endorsed limitations on smartphones during instructional periods in May. The teachers’ association, along with the College of Alberta School Superintendents and the Alberta School Councils’ Association, welcomed the announcement on June 17.
President Kerry Bodell of the Alberta School Councils’ Association noted that establishing standards for mobile device usage during instructional time, with exceptions and school autonomy considered, will promote a focus on learning. Andrea Holowka, president of the College of Alberta School Superintendents, expressed appreciation for the flexibility granted to school authorities in meeting students’ unique learning requirements within a regulated framework.
