Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides says the province is moving to ban cellphones in kindergarten to Grade 12 classrooms starting in the fall. Nicolaides is sworn into cabinet, in Edmonton, Friday, June 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson.



CALGARY - Starting this fall, Alberta will prohibit cellphones in kindergarten to Grade 12 classrooms.

Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides announced on Monday that while cellphones can aid learning, they often serve as distractions and can contribute to cyberbullying. Exceptions will be made for students who need phones for health purposes, such as monitoring blood sugar levels, or for specific learning requirements.

Apart from these exceptions, students will be required to keep personal devices turned off and out of sight during class. Additionally, school internet networks will restrict access to social media, Nicolaides said.

Previously, Alberta allowed individual school boards to set their own rules regarding cellphone use, leading to inconsistent policies. Concerns from teachers and parents about the disruptive impact of phones prompted the government to take action.

"The risks to students' mental well-being and academic success are real, and we must take steps now to combat these effects," Nicolaides emphasized.

Alberta joins Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia in implementing or announcing similar cellphone restrictions in schools.

A survey conducted by the Alberta government included over 68,000 parents, teachers, students, and principals, with about 90% expressing concerns about cellphone use in schools and advocating for limitations.

School boards will be responsible for implementing and enforcing the new rules, ensuring they align with provincial standards. Nicolaides advised parents and guardians to stay informed through their local school authorities for further details.

In May, the Alberta Teachers' Association members voted to support restricting smartphones in classrooms during instructional time. President Jason Schilling welcomed this initiative but noted that further details are needed regarding the implementation and support for teachers and school leaders.

Two major provincial organizations also supported the change. Kerry Bodell, president of the Alberta School Councils' Association, said that setting standards for mobile device use, while acknowledging exceptions and school authority autonomy, will help maintain a focus on learning. Andrea Holowka, president of the College of Alberta School Superintendents, appreciated the practical approach of allowing school authorities the flexibility to meet students' unique learning needs within a regulatory framework.

Opposition NDP education critic Amanda Chapman expressed cautious optimism that the new policy will strike a balance between learning and access to technology. However, she highlighted the absence of a government commitment to teaching digital literacy.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

You may also like

Gladiator’s Skeleton In York Shows Evidence Of Lion Combat

A fascinating discovery in York, England, has given researchers new insights into ancient Roman combat. Archaeologists have found a skeleton....

White House Reports Success At Canada-U.S. Border Amid Tariffs

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt highlighted the successes at the Canada-U.S. border during a briefing on Tuesday. She mentioned....

Record 7.3 Million Canadians Cast Votes In Advance Polls: Elections Canada

A new record was set in Canada as 7.3 million people cast their votes during the advance polls, according to....

Scientists discover rare signs of Earth's layers peeling beneath Sierra Nevada

Seismologist Deborah Kilb made an exciting discovery while analyzing earthquake data from California. While reviewing the past four decades of....

Harvard Sues Trump Administration Over $2.2 Billion Funding Freeze

Harvard University filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Monday, aiming to stop a freeze on over $2.2 billion....

Canada’s Election Focus Shifts From Climate To Energy Plans

As Canada gets ready to vote on April 28, concerns about climate change have taken a back seat. This time,....

Canada’s Election Heats Up As Liberals Hold Narrow Lead

Canada’s federal election is entering its final week, and the race is now neck and neck. A new poll shows....

Trump May Cut Another $1 billion From Harvard Over Policy Dispute

The Trump administration plans to remove another $1 billion in federal funding from Harvard University. This decision comes as tensions....

Oldest American Astronaut Don Pettit Returns To Earth On 70th Birthday

Don Pettit, America’s oldest active astronaut, landed safely back on Earth on his 70th birthday. He traveled in a space....

Advance Voting Grows As Poilievre Slams Carney For Inflation

Canadians kept showing up at advance polls on Sunday, making the most of early voting. While people lined up to....

Record Turnout Across Canada At Advance Polls As Voters Flock To Cast Ballots Early

Advance voting in Canada’s 2025 federal election has reached historic levels. On Good Friday alone, over 2 million people cast....

Trump Says Tariffs Boost U.S. Wealth, Promises Trade Talks

President Donald Trump made it clear this week that he isn’t stepping away from his global tariff strategy. Despite growing....