Saskatchewan’s New Rule
At the start of the 2024–25 school year, Saskatchewan brought in new rules to limit cell phone use in classrooms. Students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 cannot use phones during class time, unless it is for learning or medical reasons. Teachers of high school students can also ask for special permission if a lesson really needs phones.
Benefits
- Teachers can teach without constant interruptions from buzzing phones.
- Students are less tempted to check messages and can focus more on learning.
- Parents feel good knowing kids are concentrating on school instead of social media.
- Schools have one simple rule, which makes things easier to manage.
Drawbacks
- Teachers now have the job of making sure the rule is followed, which can be stressful.
- Some students feel they are missing freedom or worry about not reaching family quickly.
- Parents may not like losing instant contact with their children.
- Schools must decide fairly who gets exceptions, which can be tricky.
Across Canada
Almost every province in Canada now has some kind of cell phone ban. Many parents and teachers support it because it reduces distractions. But some studies show that while bans help with focus, they don’t always improve grades on their own without other teaching supports.
My Reflection
I think the ban is a good step because it helps students stay focused and gives teachers more control in the classroom. At the same time, it is important to be fair and flexible, especially when students need phones for safety, learning, or personal reasons. Overall, the rule is useful, but it will only work well if teachers, parents, and students all work together.
I thought the findings published in the Guardian that phone bans do not improve academic grades or children’s wellbeing was interesting. I have concerns about bans as I often correlate it with bans on books, or intellectual freedom, and wonder how a ban introduced to youth become socially normative. What are we telling youth about the role of these devices? Are we for instance by banning them saying these devices purpose is for everything but learning? In the short term mental health and focus may go up, Stanford Graduate School Of Education professor Antonio Garcia shares, but what are the long term consequences. I linked a WHO study in my post that identified problematic users whose social media usage did impact their academic grades and well being contrasted with heavy but non problematic users who had digital literacy skills who reported stronger connections and peer support and were able to effectively and safely use social media.
Hi Rhonda,
You bring up some really important points! I agree that outright bans can send mixed messages about the role of technology in learning and social life. It’s interesting to consider the difference between heavy users who are digitally literate and those who struggle — teaching responsible and safe use might be more effective than banning devices entirely. I also wonder about the long-term effects on creativity, critical thinking, and social skills if youth are restricted from these tools. Thanks for sharing the WHO study; it really highlights how nuanced this issue is.