Since Quebec implemented a ban on cellphones in primary and secondary schools four months ago, school administrators are seeing positive changes in social interactions, physical activities, and academic performance.
At École Monseigneur-A.-M.-Parent in Longueuil, students are embracing the ban by engaging in face-to-face interactions and activities during their break times. Grade 11 student Constance Boie shared that the ban has encouraged more group play and conversations among peers, shifting away from individual phone use. Her classmate, Shelby Miclette, mentioned how the ban helped her break out of her shell and make new friends, fostering a more inclusive environment at the school.
Principal Mélanie Lacourse observed a noticeable improvement in student relationships and decreased isolation since the ban’s implementation. She highlighted the benefits of students participating in physical activities like foosball and ping-pong, which positively impact focus and learning outcomes. Miclette also noted that the ban has enhanced students’ concentration in class without the distraction of constant phone notifications.
The ban, initially for Grade 7 students, has now been extended to Grades 8 to 11 at École Monseigneur-A.-M.-Parent, with positive responses from students. Similarly, at Séminaire Saint-François near Quebec City, principal Jean-François Boisvert noted a significant improvement in social skills among students due to the ban, emphasizing increased interactions and laughter in the school hallways.
Clinical psychologist and researcher Linda S. Pagani supported these findings, stating that excessive phone use can hinder learning and personality development, particularly during adolescence. She compared it to delaying crucial developmental milestones by constantly relying on digital devices.
Furthermore, the ban has led to changes in how schools approach technology use, with some schools considering a shift from tablets to laptops to better align with students’ educational and professional needs. This move aims to address concerns about tablets being used more for leisure than educational purposes, posing challenges for educators and parents.
The cellphone ban, which started in January 2024, follows recommendations from the Special Commission on the Impacts of Screens and Social Media on Youth Health and Development. The ban aims to create a healthier school environment that fosters authentic relationships and reduces the negative impacts of excessive screen time.
