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Are cellphone bans in schools a good idea? Experts weigh in


“In Canada and other developed countries, scores in reading, math and science are on a steady decline,” said Maharaj.

“When [scientists] look at what’s contributing to this, the use of phones and digital technology is a significant factor.”

Cris Rowan, a B.C.-based occupational therapist, added that phone use is impacting children's brain development and impacting their focus in class.

“Research is showing that grades are directly related to the number of times you open a text.... Even having that phone on the desk is hugely affecting kids.”

Both experts say cellphones in class are also likely contributing to an ongoing decrease in kid and teen mental health.

Experts also say that cellphones in class have a negative impact by increasing opportunities for cyberbullying.


#Canada #CBC #cellphone #smartphone #news

#news #cbc #Canada #smartphone #cellphone

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in reply to Adam Hunt

Jess Nut
Jess Nut
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Some kids use cellphones as medical devices. They connect to glucose monitors or have timers for taking medications. Obviously you'll have to make exceptions for those. And once those kids are seen with them, other parents will complain. When you add in the looming threat of active shooters and parents needing to be able to be in contact with their kids, no one will agree to this.
in reply to Adam Hunt

Adam Hunt
Adam Hunt
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Quebec just banned cellphones in schools province-wide.
in reply to Adam Hunt

Adam Hunt
Adam Hunt
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Several countries have gone further than Quebec and Ontario. In 2018, France banned phones on school grounds for those under the age of 15, while China banned phones for schoolchildren in 2021. The U.K. government announced in October it would issue guidance to support head teachers who want to ban phones in schools, adding that its measure would be in line with similar bans in Italy and Portugal.

"Lots of jurisdictions around the world ... have implemented cellphone bans and have found very positive outcomes from that. Students are less distracted, they report more engagement, and there's even been some measures of academic growth and also less loneliness," Westheimer said.

In Quebec, Mélanie Laviolette, president of parent group Fédération des comités de parents du Québec, is welcoming the rules.

"What we hope is that our kids are in the best position to learn, so not having TikTok at their fingertips is a good thing," Laviolette said.


https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/cellphone-ban-quebec-new-year-1.7069440

in reply to Adam Hunt

>sfb< SigmundFreud'sBartender
>sfb< SigmundFreud'sBartender
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Interesting choice, to call it "developed countries" in this context.
in reply to Adam Hunt

Adam Hunt
Adam Hunt
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That was a quote from Sachin Maharaj:

Sachin Maharaj spent more than a decade as an Ontario high school teacher and is now an assistant professor of education leadership, policy and program evaluation at the University of Ottawa.
in reply to Adam Hunt

Richard
Richard
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My kid's school district is pretty strict about when the phones may be out. So, not in class. Fair enough. AFAIK no pinheads have tried to ban them outright.
in reply to Adam Hunt

Adam Hunt
Adam Hunt
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The linked article notes at east one teacher thought they ought to be prohibited on school property at all. One issue we have had to deal with here in Canada is thefts of cellphones in schools by other students.
in reply to Adam Hunt

Adam Hunt
Adam Hunt
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@clarice oncemore that seems like a well-considered policy. Any idea how it is working out?
@clarice oncemore
in reply to Adam Hunt

clarice oncemore
clarice oncemore
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it seems fine.. it doesnt seem to matter a whit with higher-achieving young uns, while lower-achieving Youths appear to benefit the most.Those in the middle seem to have been boosted a bit - about 6% higher results is bandied about. I use "seem" and "appear" as this is one of many factors that could have contributed to recent higher results.
oc kids still bring their phones to the classroom and be buggers, bc they are children :) but overall, as in many countries,it seems to have been a positive move.
in reply to Adam Hunt

clarice oncemore
clarice oncemore
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from 2021 when media were still debating the issue (Queensland has jumped in late - media are still trying to make it a shock-horror issue there. It's really not.)
https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/life/education/2021/03/22/school-phone-bans-evidence
in reply to Adam Hunt

Richard
Richard
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In the United States there are shootings, rapes, gang violence, beatings, hazing, child abuse, hate-crimes, etc. Maybe it's just me, but I'd like to be able to tell my kid I loved them via chat before they got shot to death.
in reply to Adam Hunt

clarice oncemore
clarice oncemore
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maybe a sensible policy rather than an all-or-nothing approach would be needed @Richard. i dont know of any countries where a blanket ban is enforced or encouraged bc that would be a bit daft - things happen.
@Richard
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