New School Policies for Cellphones, Social Media and Vaping

Ford Government to greatly limit use.

ONTARIO - The Ford Government is about the limit the use of cellphones, social media, and vaping on school property.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce made the announcement yesterday.

"Our government is introducing the toughest policy in Canada to tackle this issue by cracking down on cellphone usage during class time, as well as banning vaping in all schools. When it comes to cellphones, our policy is ‘out of sight and out of mind,’ as we get students back to the basics by restoring focus, safety, and common sense back in Ontario schools."

Starting this September, kids in Senior Kindergarten to Grade 6 must have their cellphones off and out of sight for the entire school day. Students in Grades 7 to 12 will not be able to use their phones in the classroom unless they receive permission from a teacher.

Social media websites will be blocked from school networks and devices as well, so students will not be able to access them on school property.

Students caught using or carrying vapes or cigarettes on school property will have those products confiscated, and their parents will be notified.  Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore says this is for their own good.

"Ontario is seeing a growing number of youth in Grades 7 through 12 report using vaping products that contain and emit many toxic substances. These products can affect the respiratory, immune, and cardiovascular systems, and nicotine in these products is particularly harmful to youth brain development. Removing vaping products from Ontario schools will help protect our students from these preventable threats."

The Ford Government has included $30 million in the 2024 budget to install vape detectors and other security measures at schools.

The province has also announced $17.5 million for student supports and parent engagement. Most of that funding, $15 million to be exact, will go to supports that will help students at risk of addictive behaviours. 

Out of sight, out of mind.

Ontario's plan to restrict cellphone usage in class and ban vaping is about restoring academic focus, safety, and common sense back in our schools.

It's about time.

🔗: https://t.co/LH3WilCRtC pic.twitter.com/GOuk0QRn19

— Stephen Lecce (@Sflecce) April 28, 2024