Ontario is considering banning phones, social media in schools

The Government of Ontario is looking into banning cellphone and social media use in schools.

Speaking at a news conference Tuesday in the London area, Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra said (via CP24) “the evidence is becoming more and more clear that cellphone use in our schools, elementary and our secondary schools, anywhere on site, has become a problem.”

As a result, Calandra said the provincial government is considering a “wider ban” on cellphone use. As of 2024, the government has been restricting, but not completely banning, cellphones in schools. For students Grade 7 and above, phones and other mobile devices may not be used during class time without explicit permission from teachers, while students in Grade 6 and below aren’t allowed to use these electronics during the full school day unless they’re given permission.

Calandra noted that even if a full ban is implemented, there would still be exemptions in cases like students with medical issues. He also said the government is looking into banning social media for kids as well, following the announcement that Manitoba will become the first province to do so.

“We’re reviewing what Manitoba has done. I think it’s a good opportunity for us in Ontario, but doesn’t go necessarily as far as we would like it to go, but it is a good step,” he said. That said, CP24 points out that Calandra didn’t elaborate on how, exactly, Manitoba’s plans don’t go far enough. Calandra did note, however, that Ontario will be “working closely” with the federal government on a youth social media ban, acknowledging that the feds have been considering such a law nationwide.

It remains to be seen if and when Ontario will crack down harder on phones and social media in schools. But for now, there is some debate about exactly how that should all work in practice. Speaking to CP24, Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles said that while she agrees that more must be done to protect kids from the harms of social media, an outright ban of cellphones might not be the best approach.

“Having that cellphone is a connection for parents to keep an eye on their kids and where they’re at, and a lot of children, particularly here in the GTA, travel long distances to get to school or have other responsibilities, like siblings,” Stiles said. “So I think keeping them completely out of school is maybe impossible, but perhaps restricting them to backpacks might be an option.”

Image credit: Shutterstock

Source: CP24