Do school cell phone bans work? Teachers say enforcement can be an issue

Cell phone bans in Canadian schools are proving effective in improving student focus, according to educators. Most provinces have implemented such policies in the past two to three years, with varying restrictions based on grade level. New Brunswick is set to follow suit, banning phone use for high school students entirely in their second semester.

Manitoba Education Minister Tracy Schmidt expressed gratitude from teachers, noting improved classroom focus and engagement. Quebec's teachers' union president, Richard Bergevin, observed students becoming more engaged and socializing more often. Nova Scotia Education Minister Brendan Maguire mentioned only about seven percent of students have been caught using phones during class since the ban.

However, educators face challenges in enforcing the restrictions. Jason Schilling, president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, highlighted a lack of consistency across school boards and schools, emphasizing the need for clear rules and consequences. Peter Day, president of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, pointed out that messaging around the policies needs to be consistently updated.

Teachers often have to repeatedly remind students, particularly high schoolers, about the restrictions. Jay Olson, a postdoctoral fellow in psychology at the University of Toronto, suggested that governments should provide more consistent messaging to parents, helping them reinforce the rules at home.

Experts and stakeholders agree that a multi-faceted approach is necessary for the policies to succeed. Kara Brisson-Boivin, director of research at MediaSmarts, a digital literacy group, emphasized the importance of teachers not being the sole enforcers of these rules, comparing it to setting boundaries around phone use during family meals. Day stressed that enforcing the rules is a collective responsibility involving teachers, administrators, parents, and government.