Alberta government pondering whether schools need rules about smartphones, other devices

Alberta's education minister is considering whether the province's schools need consistent rules about cellphones and other smart devices in classrooms.

Ontario and Quebec are both imposing provincial bans on students using cell phones during class time, except when teachers say they need the devices for schoolwork.

Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides says a sample of 16 school authorities across the province found more than half lacked any smartphone use policy.

"I hear very frequently from teachers and parents about distractions. About concerns over bullying, online harassment. So it's something that we need to address," Nicolaides said in an interview earlier this month.

Nicolaides said he hasn't decided whether Alberta should have a blanket policy, or require each school authority to set its own rules.

In April and early May, Alberta Education ran an online public survey about smartphone use in schools. More than 68,000 people responded, 70 per cent of them parents.

The government hasn't compiled the results yet. Nicolaides said this was part of gauging Albertans' feelings on the issue.

In January, British Columbia's government announced that B.C. school divisions must develop a phone use policy to take effect for the 2024-25 school year.

The Ontario government, which has had a phone-ban policy since 2019, announced last month the rules will tighten in September.

Elementary students won't be able to use their phones during the school day. Junior and senior high students will only be allowed to use their phones during breaks, or in classrooms with the teacher's permission.

Proponents of limitations point to evidence that children and teens who spend more time glued to their phones are experiencing worse mental health and feelings of isolation, as well as being distracted from learning.

But there are caveats to consider, such as students who use their phones for medical reasons, possible exemptions for students with disabilities who use adaptive technologies on their own devices, and children facing relentless bullying using phones to contact their parents.

Alberta Teachers' Association president Jason Schilling said many teachers are increasingly frustrated by students bringing phones, smart watches or tablets to class.

Even when the devices are face-down on their desks, the sound of buzzing and the sight of screens lighting up is a distraction, he said.