Ontario weighs ban on cellphones in schools
Context:
Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra is considering an outright ban of cellphones and social media on school properties, aiming to go further than existing provincial plans to improve the learning environment for students.
Members of the media may directly contact the following experts:
Joel Westheimer (English only)
Full Professor, Faculty of Education
Professor Westheimer’s expertise centers on the intersection of democracy, education, and social change, with a specific focus on how schools shape civic engagement and political ideology.
“I’m generally wary of blanket provincial rules, but smartphones are a rare case where their addictive design and well-documented harms make school-wide limits both reasonable and necessary. Given their impact on mental health, attention, and cognitive achievement, schools (and provinces…and in the case of Australia counties!) are justified in setting firm limits on their use. I should also note that bans implemented alone are perceived by students as punitive. That’s a problem. My suggested approach — discuss these very issues that we’re discussing here now with students, not to give them the choice, but to treat them as the thinking, concerned human beings that they are.”
Tracy Vaillancourt (English only)
Full Professor, Faculty of Education; Canada Research Chair in Youth Mental Health and Violence Prevention
Professor Vaillancourt's research examines the links between bullying and mental health, with a particular focus on social neuroscience.
“I support the decision to ban cellphones. Evidence consistently shows they are distracting and undermine academic achievement, a stated priority for the Minister of Education.”
Sachin Maharaj (English only)
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education
Professor Maharaj’s research focuses on student phone use in schools, the work of school boards/districts, teacher unions, and the equity implications of school choice.
"Ontario's previous attempts (in 2019 and 2024) to ban phones have not worked. A bell-to-bell ban will send a clear signal to students and parents about the importance of being present and staying focused for the entire school day."
Tasha-Ann Ausman (English only)
Professor - Long Term Appointment, Faculty of Education
Professor Ausman’s research employs decolonizing, psychoanalytic, and post-colonial frameworks in the areas of Curriculum Studies, STEAM, and Queer Studies.
“As someone sitting in a school right now, I think that there are a few considerations. I support the classroom ban on cellular phones and I have seen excellent results with students — from refocusing on tasks to engaged critical thinking. There is also more play in the school spaces outside at lunch or recess where I teach (Philemon Wright). This is because cell phones currently cannot be on one's person during school hours. However, for safety of transport (buses to rural places) and for students staying late (as young as 11 in grade 7 for things like volleyball or music or whatnot), I do appreciate the need to have phones in the evenings for safety. I would not be comfortable having my very young band students waiting outside in the dark without a way to call parents.”