The challenge
Cell phones, tablets, and similar electronic devices can be valuable learning tools, but unchecked personal use can result in harmful distractions and negatively impact student wellbeing and success at school.
Recent research shows that Canadian adolescents’ average daily screen time has increased from six hours in 2018 to nearly eight hours in 2022, exceeding national recommendations by nearly four times and highlighting a growing reliance on digital devices.
Excessive screen time has been linked to a range of adverse health and academic outcomes, including lower standardized test scores, increased anxiety, depression, aggression, poor sleep, and a higher risk of obesity, according to a growing body of research.
- Youth in Canada face more online harms, with exposure to hate speech, violent content, and personal harassment 30–50% higher among those aged 16 to 29 compared to the rest of the population.
- A 2024 Dais survey found that nearly eight in 10 Canadians support a cell phone ban in K-12 classrooms.
In response, provinces across Canada have initiated various phone-free classroom policies to limit in-class distractions and refocus students on learning. However, cell phone restrictions vary not only by province but often by school district, leaving many teachers and classroom staff unsupported to enforce new measures.
