Ontario will tighten the rules on cell phone use in class from the next school year. Their use will be prohibited throughout the day for students from kindergarten to grade 6.e year and during class hours for 7th grade studentse at 12e year, Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced Sunday.
According to the province, the objective is to tackle sources of distraction among young people.
We have heard loud and clear from parents and teachers how cell phones in classrooms distract young people and prevent them from learning.
relates the ministerLecce in a press release.
Highlights:
- Standardized policy across the province with the addition of a mandatory course on vaping and online behavior
- Vaping considered tobacco and other drugs: prohibited everywhere in schools and confiscated when found with immediate notification to parents
- Suggestive word for cell phones: keep them out of sight, turned off or silent throughout the school day for 6th grade and under and during classes for 7th grade and over
- Social media banned from all school internet networks
An educator who sees a mobile phone that is not properly stored must demand that the student, regardless of their level, put the device in a storage location designated by the principal or his or her educator.
Students of 7e at 12e year will not be able to use their phone during class hours unless the teacher explicitly allows it.
Our policy regarding cell phones is ‘out of sight, out of mind’.
Social networks deleted
In addition, social media platforms will also be removed and banned from all school networks and devices and report cards will now include comments on the level of student distraction in class.
Open in full screen mode
Students from kindergarten to grade 6 will have to put their cell phones away all day. (Archive photo)
Photo: iStock
Teachers will have to undergo mandatory training in the adoption of these new policies. The ministry also wants school staff to set an example by not using their phones for reasons not related to work.
The province says it will also provide support services to students and parents for this purpose.
The social media measures come a month after Ontario’s four largest school boards launched a $4.5 billion lawsuit against Meta, Snap and Bytedance. They accuse these Internet giants of creating addictions to social networks among young people.
Vaping, prohibited and discouraged
Ontario is also strengthening its rules surrounding the use of nicotine or cannabis products, including vapes.
Students caught using or carrying e-cigarettes or cigarettes will now have to return these products and parents will be immediately informed of the situation.
Ontario also announced that $30 million of the budget will be invested in the installation of vaping detectors, particularly in bathrooms, and other security improvements in schools.
Millions in investments
The Ministry of Education will also invest $17.5 million in student mental health support and parent engagement services.
Of this envelope, $15 million will be used to support students who are at risk of having substance abuse problems or who show signs of addictive behavior.
Additionally, School Mental Health Ontario will have $1 million to develop webinars and resources on the harmful effects of vaping and tools to reduce cell phone use and addictive behaviors and reactions. .
Finally, $1.5 million will be allocated to parent participation committees to enable parents and community partners to lead local campaigns to discourage vaping and distractions caused by cell phones in classrooms.
