My wife JeanSA国际影视传媒檚 friend was telling her that when she goes to visit Elders, most people in the house are in the bedrooms on their phones or other devices, including the Elders and little kids. Not cool.
She said this made her feel sad, because it means people are not talking to each other and not doing things together as much as they used to. For instance, people used to eat meals and watch TV together. Now some people eat in their rooms where they watch different things.
This is very unfortunate, as our greatest need is connection. Children are not learning how to socialize or how to recognize facial expressions. This means they have to guess what a personSA国际影视传媒檚 expressions mean and they will often get it wrong.
Similarly, they are not seeing and hearing people speak or having to respond. When they watch a screen, they donSA国际影视传媒檛 respond or ask questions. They just receive information. Their point of reference is what they see on the screen.
Communicating helps with language and social skills, but many children are not learning how to think critically or how to engage in basic conversations. This can cause anxiety because they are afraid of how they would appear to others. Children spend an average of six to nine hours a day on their devices. This robs them of an important part of socializing.
When they go to school, many teens have notifications on. Jean taught me the term called FOMO, which means the Fear Of Missing Out. Kids check their phones for things like text messages, Snapchat, or TikTok even though they know they shouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 because they are afraid of what they could be missing out on. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 creating an addictive pattern.
Many of them check their phones as soon as they wake up. But itSA国际影视传媒檚 not only kids; how many of you check your phones not long after waking up? I know I often do. Eschia, take it easy eh.
Jean saw this astounding post on Facebook about an American teacher who had her students do an experiment in one class period. She asked the students to turn their phones on loud and every time they received a notification, they had to put a tally mark on a flip chart under various categories. The results of the tally marks were troubling: Facebook 103, Snapchat 66, email 163, texts 365, phone calls 32, Instagram 274, Twitter 35, group messages 60, and other 109.
This was just one class in one school. This shows how many phone distractions can interrupt a childSA国际影视传媒檚 learning, and is a good example of why cellphones should be banned during class instruction.
Provinces restricting cell phones
Yes, cellphone distraction in schools is real; so much so that every province has announced significant restrictions on using cells in schools. Several provinces passed their restrictions in 2024, others as recently as a few months ago.
For instance, Alberta is banning cellphones in kindergarten to Grade 12. Starting on the first day of classes this year, all personal devices must be turned off and stored out of sight during class time. Some students will be able to use phones to monitor blood sugar levels and for other health needs.
Indicating that cellphones can be a distraction and lead to cyberbullying, Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said, "The risks to students' mental well-being and academic success are real, and we must take steps now to combat these effects."
The restrictions have widespread support. The Alberta government surveyed more than 68,000 students, parents, principals and teachers. About 90 per cent said cellphone use in schools should be limited.
In May, the Alberta Teachers' Association voted to restrict smartphone use in classrooms. The Alberta School Councils' Association and the College of Alberta School Superintendents also welcomed the change through news releases.
Similarly, starting this school year, the Manitoba provincial government is totally banning cellphone usage during school hours for kindergarten to Grade 8 students. High school students can use their phones during breaks, but not during class time.
Apparently, some school divisions had already restricted cell usage. Last year, one middle school banned cells. They reported that students found it easier to pay attention in class and fewer kids were sent to the principalSA国际影视传媒檚 office for discipline issues.
A government phone ban also helps teachers to focus on teaching without having to explain why cellphones are not allowed in their classrooms.
In the NWT, there are no territorial instructions from the GNWT yet, however, local school boards have instituted restrictions. Yellowknife Catholic Schools has no use of cellphones during school hours at both the elementary and high school level. Students are expected to store their phones in their locker or in a designated area.
For Yellowknife Education District No. 1 SA国际影视传媒� the public schools SA国际影视传媒� the policy is a bit different. At Sir John Franklin High School, cellphones can be used before and between classes and after school. Cells must be put away before entering any classroom. In elementary school, phones must be turned off from 8:30 a.m. to 3:20 p.m., but they can be carried around. Smart watches must be on airplane mode.
Like Alberta, students will be able to get exceptions to use cellphones for medical reasons.
I think itSA国际影视传媒檚 time for a territorial policy on cellphones and other devices in our schools! Unfortunately, the NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 Education Act empowers the school boards to make those policy decisions, so MLAs canSA国际影视传媒檛 put a territorial policy in place even if they wanted to.
Fascinating, isnSA国际影视传媒檛 it?
