As the first month of school comes to a close, students, parents, and teachers are adjusting to Alberta's new province-wide policy banning cell phones and social media in classrooms. While technology is pervasive in the lives of Airdronians of all ages, many local parents have strongly supported this restriction on mobile device use.
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Kym Jarvis, the mother of an 11-year-old Airdrie student, is among those who favour the new policy. She believes it will minimize distractions and help children focus on learning. “It’s a time distractor for them, but I also see a change in my child when she's been on her phone versus when she's not,” Jarvis explained.
Despite her child owning a phone, Jarvis has decided against allowing her to bring it to school, even in a school bag.
"If there’s a need for an emergency call, that can be handled through school phones," she noted.
Jarvis also supports the social media ban, emphasizing its importance to students' mental health."
DiscoverAirdrie engaged residents to seek their thoughts on the policy and received many positive responses. One resident remarked that the policy is a good step in preparing young people for workplaces that may enforce similar restrictions. Many parents believe the rules will enhance student engagement and limit distractions. Local teachers echoed these sentiments, noting that youth are resilient and adapt well to change.
However, some commenters raised concerns about the policy's impact on essential devices like laptops. The Rocky View Schools (RVS) policy defines personal mobile devices as any electronic device capable of internet communication, including cellphones, tablets, laptops, and smartwatches. It allows for using school devices for specific educational activities, ensuring that these activities are structured to enhance learning outcomes.
A few parents expressed frustration over the inconsistency in policy enforcement and emphasized the need for better communication from the school. There were calls for exceptions, particularly for students who need to communicate with parents for safety reasons. According to RVS procedures, principals will outline acceptable use in emergencies, and students with health issues or special learning needs may receive permission to use devices during instructional time after completing Form AF148A or having it noted in their Individualized Program Plan.
The RVS administrative procedure highlights that students are encouraged to leave devices at home. If brought to school, devices must be turned off and kept out of sight, with parents and students assuming responsibility for lost or damaged items. Personal devices cannot be used during instructional time unless explicitly authorized for educational purposes. Access to social media platforms is prohibited on school Wi-Fi and through personal data plans to maintain focus on education. The procedure includes progressive consequences to help students, parents, and staff work together to minimize distractions.
RVS acknowledges that these changes may require adjustment and appreciates the support of students, staff, and families in fostering a focused learning atmosphere.
In late June, the province announced the policy following feedback from over 68,000 stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and students, who expressed concerns about personal mobile devices in classrooms. This feedback prompted Alberta's government to establish new standards to mitigate their adverse effects.
The new regulations took effect at the beginning of this month and restrict personal mobile device use during instructional time. Previously, Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides noted, “Parents, teachers, students, and our education partners were clear that the use of personal mobile devices and social media in the classroom was of concern. We’re taking a measured approach to protecting students by reducing distractions and bullying, maximizing learning time, and supporting student mental health.”
These rules apply to Alberta's K-12 public, separate, francophone, public charter, independent school authorities, and early childhood services operators. Exceptions will be made for students requiring mobile devices for health, medical, or educational purposes.
Similar restrictions exist in other provinces, including Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.
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