The Ministry of Education has announced new rules governing the use of mobile phones by students in Alberta school classrooms. These rules come after a survey of over 68,000 parents, teachers, education partners and students, identified that personal mobile devices and social media can negatively impact student achievement and mental well-being.
Effective the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, students will not be allowed to use mobile devices during class time, and access to social media in schools will be restricted. In addition, mobile devices must be turned off and stored out of sight.
“Parents, teachers, students and our education partners were clear that the use of personal mobile devices and social media in the classroom was of concern,” said Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education. “We’re taking a measured approach to protect students by restricting the use of personal mobile devices during instructional time to reduce distractions and bullying, maximize learning time and support student mental health.”
“I am pleased to see Alberta’s government move forward with limitations to the use of personal mobile devices and social media in schools,” said Dr. Michael Boyes, developmental psychologist, Department of Psychology, University of Calgary. “Research is showing us ways that they can negatively influence student success and mental health. This initiative will support schools in addressing those areas of concern and help our students get the most out of their education.”
Exceptions will be for medical or health reasons, to support special learning needs, as directed by a teacher, or any other reason as determined by a principal on a case-by-case basis.
School boards will be tasked with enforcing the new rules and determining consequences for non-compliance. Additionally, individual school boards will have the autonomy to impose any additional restrictions that they see fit, and will be required to notify parents if their child violates the rules.
