Schools
<< back to news listing
Student use of cellphones and social media in schools
Mon, 26 Aug, 2024
This school year, students, staff and families can expect changes to how personal mobile devices and social media are accessed at school.
New restrictions from province
In spring, the province announced limitations on the use of personal mobile devices and social media on school networks, starting this school year.
Personal mobile devices include:
- smartphones
- cellphones
- smart watches
- tablets
- laptops
Your school’s approach
Every school has the flexibility to determine how to implement the new standards in a way that best suits their students and families. Some schools already have policies in place and may see little to no changes this year.
Schools also have the flexibility to make exceptions where students may need devices for health and medical reasons (e.g., monitoring diabetes) or to support specialized learning needs. These requests would be supported by a student’s medical management plan (MMP) or Individual Program Plan (IPP).
Your school will reach out to share more about their approach and what you and your child can expect this year.
Tips for families
- Talk to your child about lunch or after school plans before the school day begins, recognizing they will have limited access to a personal mobile device.
- Contact the school office to reach your child during the school day.
- Talk to your child about accessing social media using a personal cellular data plan at school to prevent any unexpected data charges.
Learn more about what to expect
For more information, review your school’s updated Student Rights and Responsibilities document, accessible from the school website in September.
