Gene Pereira, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Markham Review

With two teenage children attending high school in the York Region District School Board and a teacher herself, Nicole has seen it herself and heard from other teachers just how much of a distraction a cell phone can be in class.

While the primary teacher (Kindergarten to Grade 3) at the elementary level admits it’s not often a problem she has to deal with when it comes to her young students, she’s heard the stories of just how difficult it can be getting high school students to focus on class not on whatever conversation is taking place on their cell phones.

This is why she believes the provincial government’s decision to crack down on cellphones beginning this school year is the right one.    

“It’s needed,” said the Vaughan native, who asked that her last name not be used to not bring any added attention to her son and daughter. “I’m at the primary level, so it doesn’t really affect me too much because I’m with younger children.

“But it is a distraction for the students, and it needs to be put away, definitely.”

In late April, the province announced measures that would allow schools to combat what they call “the negative impact” mobile devices are having on in-class learning.

“We’re emphasizing responsible use of technology with restrictions on cellphone use during school time, so students can fully engage in their learning without distractions,” said Billy Pang, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education and MPP for Markham-Unionville.  “School is more than just academics – it’s about building relationships, discovering your strengths, and preparing for the future.”

Beginning this school year, students in kindergarten to Grade 6 must keep their phones on silent and out of sight for the entire school day unless they are granted permission by an educator.

For students in Grades 7 to 13, cellphones are not allowed during class time unless permission is granted by an educator.

Other measures included removing all social media websites from school networks and devices, and report cards will include comments on students’ distraction levels in class.

“Schools need to eliminate classroom distractions and focus on academic achievement by prioritizing STEM learning and real-life skills, such as financial literacy, and ensuring young people are proficient in reading, writing and math,” Pang said.

“Our government is listening to the concerns of parents, and we’re taking action by making it clear that vaping has no place in our schools, mobile devices need to be put away, and swearing at teachers is unacceptable behaviour.”

While some parents have expressed concern over not being able to immediately reach their children when an important matter comes up at home, Nicole believes it’s never really been an issue before, and it won’t be now.

“It is important. We live in a different world now,” she said of being able to get a hold of your children. “But if you really need to get a hold of your son or daughter, you can call the office like the old days. You get the teachers to send them down to the office and they can take the phone call. I’ve done it before myself.

“A (cellphone) is important if they are walking home for safety reasons, but that’s outside the classroom so it doesn’t effect their learning.”

The change, says Nicole, will be more noticeable in high schools.

“At the primary level, it’s not a huge, huge problem from what I see because they were never allowed to have their phones out,” she said. “However, it can be a problem if the kids go to the washroom and they’re on it. That’s an issue, but in the classroom itself they weren’t allowed to use it unless they’re given permission from their teacher.

“I think it’s a bigger concern at the high school level.”

In their decision to limit cellphone usage at schools, the province sited a report by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) that calls for the ban of cellphones in classrooms.

A 2023 UNESCO report found a negative link between cellphone use and the academic performance of kids in the classroom.

It found that students can take up to 20 minutes to refocus on what they were learning after focusing on a distraction.

The province also relied on a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMH) study on youth, smartphones and social media that showed over a third (35 per cent) of Ontario’s secondary students spent five hours or more daily on electronic devices in their free time.

The decision is simply aimed at keeping the students’ attention on the teacher and what’s being taught. Students who don’t comply will have their cell phones taken away immediately.

“I think it’s a good thing, but there’s has to be a plan, and the plan has to be followed through,” Nicole said of putting away smartphones in class. “There has to be consequences if kids don’t follow through with the rules.

“Obviously, you’re going to get some push back with some kids and you have to be prepared to deal with them. If you’re not prepared, it’s going to set the tone, and you need to set the tone right away. So, you have to be prepared to deal with it.”

The kids though, says Nicole, depend on their phone.

“They depend on it for their social media, their friends,” she said. “A lot of kids don’t interact with anybody else but through the phone.

“I think they need to see the other side. Our generation didn’t depend on the phone. We don’t depend on it. We know when to put it away. These younger kids, they were born with the phone from a very young age. It’s almost like their life.”

While having all that information at the tips of their hands can be a good thing, it can also bring a host of other problems along with being a distraction in the classroom.

“The positive is that kids do have access to information, and they can get information quickly, but again if it’s not used properly and it’s used for different things it can cause problems,” said Nicole, whose 17-year-old son and 14-year-old daughter attend the same Vaughan high school. “There’s bullying that can take place.

“You just have to, as a parent, be on top of your kids.”

The increased use of smartphones has meant kids are seeing one another less and less as texting has increased as a means of communication.

In some instances, depression can set in.

“The kids are feeling isolated, I find,” said Nicole. “They’re not getting out. They’re not making real friends; they’re making online friends. But again, that’s all parenting. You have to teach your children properly and you have to be involved in their life and monitor what they’re doing.”

Adapting to the new rules will be much easier, says Nicole, with the help of parents.

“It is parenting, 100 per cent,” she said. “Unfortunately, the phone is out and we’re not going to get rid of it. So, we just have to teach our students and our kids how to use it properly.

“It does need to be taught, both at school and by parents at home.”

All the tools the kids need, they already have at school.

Kids don’t need a phone at school, but it’s up to the parents if they want to get them one,” said Nicole. “Technology is provided for the kids at school, so you don’t really need it for that purpose.”

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