Cellphone ban to take effect in classrooms next week in Ontario

As of next week, cellphones will be officially banned in classrooms throughout Ontario. 

News on the ban came today (August 29) when Jill Dunlop — Ontario’s new Minister of Education — spoke at a press conference this morning in Caledon. 

During the media event, Dunlop supplied details surrounding the ban, who it will impact, and to what extent it will function within the internal mechanisms of Ontario school boards. 

“For students in kindergarten to Grade 6, we are banning cellphones for the full instructional day. Students in Grades 7 and up, will be required to turn off their mobile devices, set them to silent mode or keep them out of view when in the classroom,” Dunlop said in an official statement at the press conference. 

Further details surrounding the ban indicated that any students who require a mobile device for needs surrounding special education purposes or for monitoring medical needs will be exempt from the ban. 

Due to the ban being right around the corner — with Ontario’s school year starting in earnest next week — Dunlop indicated that the provincial government is launching an advertising blitz to educate parents and students on the nature of the ban. 

For more information on the upcoming cellphone ban, visit the Government of Ontario’s official website.