A growing number of Quebec adolescents advocate for a complete ban on cell phones in schools, including during breaks. This stance emerged from a special commission’s visits to numerous schools, where students expressed a desire for guidance regarding screen usage risks. While a classroom ban is set for January 2024, many secondary schools still allow phone use during lunch. Additionally, there is support for raising the minimum age for social media access, reflecting concerns about younger students encountering inappropriate content.
Quebec Adolescents Advocate for Cell Phone Ban in Schools
A significant number of adolescents in Quebec support a total prohibition of cell phones in educational institutions, including during recess and lunchtime. This conclusion was drawn by the elected representatives of a special commission examining the effects of screens on the youth, after conducting visits to nearly twenty schools this fall and engaging with around 500 students. According to CAQ MP Amélie Dionne, the chair of this non-partisan commission, “What young people are telling us is that they want to be guided,” acknowledging their understanding of the risks linked to screen usage.
An example highlighted by Dionne is a private college in Rivière-du-Loup, which has enforced a strict ban on cell phone usage for years. Students there have expressed satisfaction with the opportunity to participate in various activities outside of classroom hours. “It’s a measure that allows them to do something other than be on screens,” she adds. The commission also visited Rochebelle Secondary School in Quebec City, where first and second-year students have been prohibited from using cell phones since the academic year’s beginning. “These young people were mostly in agreement. The transition was easier for them as they were already accustomed to not having their cell phones in elementary school,” Dionne emphasizes.
Future Recommendations on Cell Phone Usage in Schools
Despite the evident support for a ban, it remains premature to determine whether the commission will propose a complete cell phone prohibition across all Quebec schools. The officials are expected to deliver their final recommendations by the end of May. Although cell phones have been officially banned in classrooms as of January 1, 2024, following a ministerial directive, many schools had already instituted similar measures during class time. However, a considerable majority of secondary schools in Quebec still permit students to use their phones for watching TikTok videos during breaks and lunchtime.
Additionally, a majority of youths seem to favor increasing the minimum age for accessing social media platforms, according to the CAQ MP. Presently, individuals only need to declare themselves as 13 years old to create accounts on platforms like SnapChat or Instagram. Reports indicate that several elementary students have admitted to misrepresenting their ages to gain access to social media, often with parental approval. “Most agree [with raising the digital majority], particularly secondary school students who observe their younger siblings navigating this environment and encountering inappropriate content,” states Dionne. The special parliamentary commission’s consultations are set to continue at the end of January, with an ongoing online consultation available until the month’s conclusion.
The elected officials interacted with approximately 500 students ranging from fifth grade to fifth secondary across 18 public and private schools, both French-speaking and English-speaking, located in regions such as Bas-Saint-Laurent, Côte-Nord, Gaspésie, Capitale-Nationale, Greater Montreal, and Outaouais.
The special commission on the impacts of screens on youth aims to tackle several vital issues, including:
- Screen time among youth
- Management measures for screen usage, particularly in schools and online
- Access to social media
- Video game usage
- Cyberbullying