Ford government cracks down on cell phone use, vaping in schools

This isn’t the first time the Ford government has attempted to crack down on cell phone use, but the education minister says this time will be different as cell phone distraction becomes a growing problem inside classrooms. Do you find it distracting while you’re in class? Yeah, maybe, maybe. But that’s on me. I don’t think that there should be a ban if I can use it or not. I think that’s a personal decision. I can’t see them confiscating our phones and it like ending well for the school, so I don’t think it’s going to work. But the Ford government says it will as it cracks down on cell phone use. Education Minister Stephen Leche calling the new rules the toughest in Canada. Cell phones will be banned for the entire day in elementary schools and during class for middle and high school students starting this September, and Ontario will be the first province in Canada to ban access to social media platforms on school networks and devices. The objective here is through hearts and minds and through public education, we can persuade young people to understand responsible use of technology. But for the first time, I’m saying to school boards, to teachers, to principals. The government will support you in enforcing this. We have your backs. And we will urge them to indiscriminately apply this across Ontario. But teachers unions already skeptical about how educators can enforce such a drastic change. I understand the minister is going to stand behind every teacher and principal in the province. I’m just not sure what that’s going to look like. So I don’t think this big announcement changes anything. The PC government attempted a similar ban in 2019, only allowing cell phone use during class time for educational, health or special needs purposes. But left it up to the boards to enforce, Leche says educators will have more support. This time around, and so this actually gives teeth standardization and clear consistency to parents that there are progressive discipline tools that can be used. If someone violates the policy, the premier was asked if educators would have liability protection if phones are lost or stolen. The school itself is run by the principal. The principal and the teachers run the school, and they’re obviously very responsible outside of class. All the power to him. You do whatever you want. Students are already thinking of ways around the ban. We have cellular data for the most of the students, so we’re just going to go on that to social, social media and stuff. So I feel like it’s unnecessary to ban them. The province. Also, you’re marking a $38 million on vape detectors. All vaping products will be banned in school starting in September. If students are caught with them, they will be confiscated and parents will be notified. For City News, I’m Tina Asdani.