Calgary 
Starting the 2024-25 school year, Alberta will ban the use of personal mobile devices and access to social media during instructional time within school settings.
This decision follows a comprehensive survey involving over 68,000 stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and students, which highlighted concerns over the negative effects of these technologies on student performance and mental health.
The provincial government’s move aims to minimize distractions and promote a healthier learning environment in schools.
The forthcoming regulations, effective September 1 will apply to all K-12 public, separate, francophone, public charter, and independent school authorities, as well as early childhood services operators in Alberta.
Under these new standards, strict guidelines will be put in place concerning the enforcement and permissible exceptions of mobile device use. Exemptions will be allowed for students requiring devices for health and medical reasons, those with specialized learning needs, or for educational purposes directly related to schoolwork.
Local school authorities will be responsible for crafting and enforcing their own policies that align with the provincial standards yet provide the flexibility to accommodate the specific needs of their communities and students.
Per the news release, details regarding these local policies will be communicated to parents and guardians in the upcoming weeks and months.
This initiative follows similar actions by other Canadian provinces such as Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia, which have also established restrictions on the use of cellphones in schools.
