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 2025 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.

Taking Action Together

Screen Break (Pause d’Écran en français) is helping students, educators, administrators and school boards in every province effectively limit the personal use of phones and other devices during the school day. 

Benefits of phone-free classrooms can include:

• reducing harmful distractions
• improving student mental health and wellbeing 
• ensuring that young people develop healthier relationships with technology. 

We’re tackling this challenge through two, key actions:

1. Mobilizing for phone-free classrooms: Supporting students, parents, educators, school boards, and governments, by providing information, guidance, training and tracking the progress of new K-12 phone restriction policies in all Canadian provinces.
2. A Youth Champions Program: That equips high school students in all provinces to engage their peers, and advocate for positive change, about phone-free classrooms and technology use in education. 

The Screen Break program builds on the Dais’ public policy and leadership work at the intersection of technology, education and democracy. We focus on ensuring digital technology is developed and used safely, and responsibly in Canada.