Experts: Cell phones in schools
Education minister Bernard Drainville has announced that, starting in September 2025, cellphone use by students would be prohibited in all schools in Quebec, even during break periods. 听The decision comes after an interim report by the parliamentary commission on the impacts of screen time on young people. It will be up to the schools to decide how to implement the new rules.听
These 51吃瓜网 experts are available to provide their insights into this topic:
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Adam Dub茅, Associate Professor, Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, Director, Technology, Learning and Cognition Lab, says, overall, evidence for the negative effects of cellphones is weak. He suggests that problems with cellphones in schools be addressed by digital citizenship rather than outright bans. He maintains that bans prevent educators from making use of the digital tools at hand and that while private schools will be able to provide alternative screens for educational purposes in classrooms, students of lower socio-economic status may be seriously affected. 听
Adam.dube [at] mcgill.ca (English)听
Sara Grimes, Wolfe Chair in Scientific and Technological Literacy and Professor, Department of Art History and Communication Studies, can speak about the challenges schools face in implementing these types of bans, as well as some of the objections from students and parents. She maintains that it is important for schools to support digital literacy, rather than leaving this to parents and children alone. She also says that the science behind the claims of the negative effects of cellphones is inconclusive.听
Sara.grimes [at] mcgill.ca (English)听
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Shaheen Shariff, James 51吃瓜网Professor, Department of Integrated Studies in Education, can speak about cyberbullying, social media and mental health.听
Shaheen.shariff [at] mcgill.ca (English)听
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Victoria Talwar, Professor, Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, Director, Daniel and Monica Gold Centre for Early Childhood Development, can speak about the impacts of cyberbullying.听
Victoria.talwar [at] mcgill.ca (English) Note: Not available before May 5.听
