Restrictions on Personal Mobile Devices

Did you know?

  • A 2023 UNESCO report found a negative link between excessive cellphone use and student academic performance and that students can take up to 20 minutes to refocus on what they were learning after focusing on a distraction.
  • A Centre for Addiction and Mental Health study on youth, smartphones and social media use showed that over a third (35%) of Ontario’s secondary school students spend five hours or more daily on electronic devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, computers, gaming consoles) in their free time.

Cellphones and other mobile devices can cause major distractions in the classroom and disrupt student learning. 

In the spring of 2024, the Ontario government put in place new restrictions on personal mobile devices in schools. 

Starting September 3, 2024, the following restrictions will be in place in all OCDSB schools:

  • Grade 6 and under: Personal mobile devices are not allowed to be used during the school instructional day. This includes during recess and nutrition breaks.
  • Grades 7 to 12: Personal mobile devices are not allowed to be used during class instructional time. They can be used during breaks, spares or lunch.

Note: Principals may choose to extend the Grade 6 restrictions to students in Grade 8. More information will be shared from your school.

Further restrictions on social media

To further reduce potential distractions during the school day, all social media networks will be blocked on school networks.

We appreciate these restrictions may be difficult for some to adjust to at first, but we are confident that limiting mobile device usage will improve student focus during class. 

To learn more about the provincial regulations regarding mobile devices in schools, visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/cellphones-and-other-mobile-devices-schools

Resources

Parents/caregivers are encouraged to talk about these changes with students and model positive actions to limit their own device usage. 

The organization MediaSmarts has helpful information for parents/caregivers, including Four tips for managing your kids’ screen time and Responding to Excessive Use.

You can also explore the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s (CAMH’s) services and resources if you have concerns about your child’s use of technology

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