Alberta has banned students from using cellphones and social media in K-12 classrooms across the province but has left school boards with significant autonomy over implementing the policy.
The decision comes after a survey conducted by the Alberta government polling over 68,000 respondents who were primarily teachers and parents.
The social media and cellphone bans in Alberta schools will come into effect at the start of next school year on Sept. 1. The rules will be in place for all of Alberta’s K-12 public, separate, francophone, public charter, independent school authorities, and early childhood service operators.
Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides said at a press conference announcing the changes that this was the most responded to survey in the province’s history.
He said that 90% of respondents were concerned with school cellphone use. 85% believe cellphones hurt student achievement. 81% believe cellphones increase instances of bullying, and 60% of parents believe that cellphones negatively impact their child’s mental health.
“Of course, (cellphones) enrich our lives in a variety of different ways. However, they, of course, can also be a distraction and can limit a student from reaching their full potential,” said Nicolaides.
Paige MacPherson, Associate Director of Education Policy at the Fraser Institute told the Andrew Lawton Show that research on cellphone use in classrooms is very clear.
“In terms of academic outcomes, but also mental health or cyberbullying that goes on through the day at schools, it’s extremely distracting for kids. It impacts their ability to socialize face to face. It impacts their ability to not be distracted, to actually focus in class and academic achievement,” said MacPherson.
Alberta’s ban on cellphones in the classroom follows similar bans implemented in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.
55% of Canadians across the country believe that banning cellphone use in classrooms is necessary, while 35% believe that they shouldn’t be used in classrooms without a teacher’s permission.
The education minister cited various research aside from the province’s survey results. A 2023 study published in the Journal of Applied Cognitive Psychology showed that students permitted to use cellphones in class reported being more distracted and scored a worse test performance than those barred from using their phones in class.
He cited a 2017 study that linked social media use in school on smartphones with depression and increased risks of suicide. Another study found that eighth graders who were frequent users of social media had a 27% increased risk of depression.
“The risks to student mental well-being and academic success are real, and we must take steps to combat these effects,” said Nicolaides.
Dr. Michael Boyes, a developmental psychologist at the University of Calgary said that research clearly shows smartphone use in classrooms negatively affects students and their ability to focus.
“The distractions that are built into smartphones, when available in education settings, are widening the gap between low- and high-functioning students,” he said.
Vicki Leong, an Aurora Academic Charter Secondary School teacher, spoke about the positive effects of a cellphone ban in schools. A no-cellphone policy has always been enforced at Aurora.
“I have spoken with new students to our schools, who actually expressed relief that they have to keep their phones in their lockers during class time. Many have said that they feel a sense of relief and that they can focus on learning and take a break from the constant barrage of posts, notifications, and the demands of social media,” she said.
Students will still be allowed to use their phones at school but are not permitted to use them during class time. How or where the students are required to store their phones is up to the school boards’ discretion. Students will also not be allowed to use smartwatches, headphones, or other personal electronic devices during class time.
Exceptions will be made for students using cellphones for health and medical needs, specialized learning needs, and educational purposes.
School internet networks will have limited access to social media websites.
The province implemented minimum standards; however, school boards can implement tighter restrictions at their discretion. School boards also determine enforcement around non-compliance. School boards are also required to notify parents if their child violates the new policy.
MacPherson said that leaving it up to schools or school boards to decide created some issues in Ontario, where enforcement was inconsistent or students would still bring their phones into classrooms and have them on silent, but the buzzing noise of notifications would still cause a distraction for themselves and others.
“I think the best kind of policy is something that is as blanket as possible, right across the board with phones locked away for the school day,” she said.