N.S. students react to expanded cellphone ban in Quebec

Could the Maritimes follow Quebec in an outright ban of cellphones on school property?

Many Nova Scotia students are still getting used to the new cellphone rules implemented at the start of this school year.

Citadel High School student Alaa Ehmoda says she is not a fan of the current rules.

“I feel disconnected from everybody because I’m just doing my work and I am trying to see what is going on but I can’t because I don’t have my cellphone,” says Ehmoda.

“A lot of people use them in the classroom as a distraction and I get that, but I think the cellphone rules are a little bit harsh,” says student Lily Matheson.

The current rules require Nova Scotia students to turn off their mobile devices and store them away during class. A teacher can allow them to be used for educational purposes.

This is the first school year for Nova Scotia’s new policy, which came into effect last September September.

Dalhousie University psychology professor Simon Sherry says it can be difficult to ensure children are using their cellphones appropriately.

“I have three boys, so I’m familiar with all the challenges that can accompany policing the appropriate use of cellphones. I think the further we can get cellphones away from educational systems, the better,” says Sherry, who notes the devices contribute to numerous difficulties for children and adolescents.

“We see that cellphones often disrupt learning environments, creating a distraction that leads to inattention. Cellphones can also be a real pathway towards social problems where bullying occurs through phones. If somehow we could magically restrict cellphones to only their positive applications, they could be used to enrich educational environments by creating learning experiences but that seems near impossible.”

Some students like Ian Chapman-Lin understand why cellphones are banned in the classroom, but he used to enjoy listening to music while working and can’t do that anymore.

“I do understand a lot of people were using their phones for more distracting purposes, which might have gotten in the way of education. I am not inherently against it, but I do think there are good ways to use phones in schools,” says Chapman-Lin.

In a statement to CTV News Atlantic, Nova Scotia’s education department says overall the feedback on their current restrictions has been positive.

“We are hearing that students are more engaged with their peers and teachers and better able to focus on learning,” reads the statement.

In Quebec, the government is expanding its cellphone ban, prohibiting their use at elementary schools and high schools during the entire school day.

Education Minister Bernard Drainville says the measure will encourage children to socialize and will help prevent cyberbullying.

“There will be more concentration, less distraction, less intimidation, more socialization -- students talking to each other instead of being on their cell,” Drainville told reporters.

Drainville believes there is a societal consensus in favour of reducing cellphone use in school.

“I want students to be more concentrated, I want students to talk to one another, I want students to succeed more,” says Drainville.

Sherry agrees with the ban.

“I am fully in support of Quebec’s new policy and I would welcome a chance for it to be extended to Atlantic Canada. I think it’s a policy that maps onto the seriousness of the problem and I think it’s a policy that can enhance the psychology and learning environment of our children,” says Sherry.

Some Nova Scotia students aren’t as fond of the idea as Sherry.

“Cellphones are a good use of communication. If your parents text you, you should text them because that’s important,” says Stella Currie, who add that her phone is a necessity for her. “I use my phone for medical stuff so having an outright ban and not being able to access my phone during school time would just not be good.”

Matheson says the rules are already strict and she does not want to see them

“A lot of my friends use them for, like, their anxiety, it’s, like, their anxiety object or to, like, contact their parents. But if you need to contact your parents, you have to go down to the office. I know a lot of people would feel more comfortable texting them on their phones in class or going to the bathroom to send a text,” says Matheson.

“I think phone use is important because, you know, contacting your friends and family and money. And also going out to lunch, because a lot of people use Apple pay, their payment on their phone but I think the restrictions are a little harsh, they can still be there but not as harsh as they are right now because they are really severe.”

Nova Scotia says it will continue to monitor the current policy but there are no planned changes at the moment.

In a statement to CTV News Atlantic, New Brunswick’s Education Minister Clair Johnson supports technology in the classroom if used properly.

“The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development believes that technology use has a place in classroom learning when used responsibly. Policy 311 - Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) outlines ways in which students can use technology responsibly. Schools and districts are responsible for determining their own guidelines,” says Johnson.

New Brunswick says they are going to keep a close eye on what Quebec is doing.

“We are very interested in what’s happening in Quebec with cellphones in schools and will keep a close eye on what they are doing and reflect on how it could impact our approach,” says Johnson.

The P.E.I. Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is also monitoring the developments in Quebec, as well as other provinces.

“P.E.I. is aware of Quebec’s policy decision on further cellphone restrictions in their classrooms. PEI has not changed its current policy. The Province is following these and other developments across the country to determine the best approach and suitability for Island schools,” reads a statement from the department.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page