Why Cell Phones Are Being Banned in Schools (Copy)
When Alberta announced it would be banning cell phones for grades K - 12 back in 2024, many wondered if Saskatchewan would follow suit. We did, with new legislation introduced for the 2024-25 school year that bans cell phones during class time.
Read on to learn more about how parents and teachers can help children navigate their relationships with smartphones.
Why Are Schools Banning Cell Phones?
It’s no huge surprise to anyone that cell phones are a huge distraction for children in a learning environment. There is a lot of evidence that shows kids are not learning as effectively and their mental health is being affected by high social media use.
In addition, cyberbullying is at an all-time high. 21% of parents reported their kids (ages 10 - 18) had been cyberbullied in a security.org study.
Why Are Cell Phone Bans in Schools Happening Now?
The Internet is still relatively new, and we’re just beginning to see its long-term effects on users.
My team at Ethical Digital has been studying the effects of social media on well-being. At first, there was a correlation between social media and mental health issues, but now research is finding causation between the two.
We’re just starting to understand the many effects of social media on young people, including insomnia, FOMO, anxiety, depression, and lower productivity. We need to address our youth’s use of social media to ensure that we are raising healthy kids.
Resources for Parents and Teachers About Social Media and Children
As you help children navigate the online world, there are plenty of tools to help you along the way.
“The Anxious Generation,” a book by Jonathon Haidt shares the issues and clear solutions. His main recommendations include:
No smartphones before high school.
No social media before the age of 16.
Phone-free schools.
More unsupervised play and childhood independence.
The Saskatchewan Industry Education Council (SIEC) has created a video for parents and teachers that can help provide information. I was pleased to be part of this project, helping coordinate and present the information. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ykX4VzC-JY&t=983s.
My team at Ethical Digital is constantly looking into new and updated research on all things social media and well-being. We often talk about teens and social media, so feel free to explore: https://www.ethicaldigital.ca/blog.
How Can Parents Help Their Children with Social Media?
The research shows a few different options for ensuring your children know how to navigate cell phone usage and social media.
Keep an open dialogue with your children about smartphones. For example, ask them if their smartphone usage is making them feel better or worse. This teaches them to notice their responses to smartphone use, helping them regulate it on their own.
Set strong boundaries (and stick to them). This can include no phones in bedrooms at night, parental controls, and more.
Delay allowing your kids to set up social media accounts. While there is no perfect age to introduce it, the longer you wait, the better.
While each child has unique needs, the negative effects of smartphone usage occur essentially across the board. Everything in moderation, open communication, and constant education are the best tools we have to offer as research continues to shed more light.