Ontario Eyes Total Cellphone Ban in Schools and Social Media Crackdown

Ontario could be headed toward a full cellphone ban in schools, on top of a social media crackdown for kids that may not be far behind. Education Minister Paul Calandra told reporters Tuesday near London, Ontario that the province is actively weighing both moves.

“We’re reflecting on a wider ban on cellphones. I think the evidence is becoming more and more clear that cellphone use in our schools – elementary and our secondary schools – anywhere on site, has become a problem,” he said, according to CP24.

The comments came the same week Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced his province would become the first in Canada to ban kids from social media. When asked if Ontario would do the same, Calandra didn’t hesitate, but said Manitoba’s plan doesn’t go far enough.

“We are going to be working closely with the federal government with respect to a broader social media ban, frankly, for kids under a certain age. I know the federal government is interested in that,” Calandra said, adding that Ontario is reviewing what Manitoba has proposed.

Ontario already restricts phone use during school hours. Elementary students must keep them out of sight all day, while high schoolers can’t use them during class unless a teacher allows it. A full ban would go further, though Calandra noted there would be exemptions for health and other valid reasons.

Not everyone is on board with going that far. Speaking with CP24 on Tuesday, Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles said she supports doing more to protect kids but questioned whether a complete ban is realistic.

“Having that cellphone is a connection for parents to keep an eye on their kids and where they’re at, and a lot of children, particularly here in the GTA, travel long distances to get to school or have other responsibilities, like siblings,” she said. Restricting phones to backpacks might be a more workable middle ground, she suggested.

Forget an outright ban on cellphones. Just build schools inside Faraday cages and call it a day?