Local school boards say current smartphone rules working

With the Toronto District School Board set to discuss a total ban of cell phone use by students in its schools, the Sault and Algoma District’s two English language school boards have no such plans in mind.

TDSB Chair Rachel Chernos Lin has said that while students within that board are allowed to use their phones for educational, health and special education reasons, social media and smartphone use are a distraction to their studies and that students should be interacting more with each other face-to-face.

“We are aware of the ban that TDSB is considering and have also been monitoring the same move by some jurisdictions in the U.S.,” wrote Lucia Reece, Algoma District School Board director of education in an email to SooToday.

“Our policy requires that technology be used in a manner that is consistent with our values and expectations and we also have clear guidelines with respect to technology use. Classroom teachers have practices in place to support appropriate use. While we have significantly increased the number of devices in our classrooms, students having their own devices means they are using a device with which they are familiar and which may also have software applications that support their individual learning profile. This has been a key consideration in maintaining cell phone use to date. We also think it is important that we, as educators, model appropriate use of cell phones and also teach about the potential dangers, as well as how students can protect themselves and their identity online,” Reece wrote.

Reece said the ADSB has seen some instances of inappropriate use of cell phones happening outside of the school day and carrying over into schools.

“However, banning cell phones in a school will not address this challenge,” Reece wrote.

“We are aware of the mental health concerns surrounding technology and certain social media platforms. While cell phones may have a small place within the classroom, we do promote teaching strategies that have students engaging in dialogue, reflective thinking, discourse and hands-on experiences as the preferred and the most frequent options,” Reece stated.

The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board said that under the Provincial Code of Conduct, the use of personal mobile devices during instructional time is permitted for educational purposes as directed by an educator, for health and medical purposes or to support special education needs.

The H-SCDSB says students may be allowed by their teacher, with permission from a principal or vice-principal, to use personal or school-purchased Personal Electronic Devices to support their learning. 

“The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board has no interest in banning Personal Electronic Devices in its schools at this time,” wrote Nick Ryma, H-SCDSB communications officer in an email to SooToday.

The Toronto District School Board will further discuss the issue of cell phones in classrooms in January.