Oct 12, 2019, Parents for Safe Schools
Did you know that the Ontario government allowed the parents to make an informed decision, which resulted in 97% of parents voting in favour of banning cell phones in their classrooms?
Did you know Minister of Education, Rob Flemming denied BC parents the same opportunity?
Did you know Rob Flemming’s child is attending the only school in Victoria that has a ban on cell phone use in the classroom but he announced he would not to ban the use of Cell Phones in BC classrooms?
We want to know why?
Ontario to ban cellphones in classrooms next school year
97% of the parents voted in favour of personal devices and cell phone ban in Ontario Schools.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-school-classroom-cellphone-ban-1.5052564
Victoria BC – Transition to cellphone-free classrooms smooth: principal
The only school in BC with a cell phone ban
New Brunswick- Middle schools in Tantramar area restricting cell phone use amid mental health concerns
Research points to rise in anxiety, depression in youth as popularity of mobile devices increases
Alaska high school bans cell phones
Students are more engaged, studying harder and interacting more with peers in Anchorage, Alaska.
Montreal – West Island high school bans cellphone use on school property — even during recess and lunch
Devices could be confiscated if students use them at St. Thomas
New California Law Bans Cell Phones in Classrooms
A new law signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom allows schools to determine ways to reduce or eliminate the use of cell phones in school.
California – San Mateo High School goes phone-free, largest public school in the country to do it (2:03 mins)
The Yondr pouches have been used at concerts and shows, but San Mateo High School is the largest public school in the country to use it for students. Each classroom has an unlocking device. Students put their phones into their pouch in the morning and a teacher unlocks it, at the end of the day.
MILWAUKEE – Cell Phones in Schools: To ban or not to ban?
Germantown High School takes a restrictive approach to cell phones in school. In fact, students caught with their phones can be fined up to $218.
https://www.cbs58.com/news/cell-phones-in-schools-to-ban-or-not-to-ban
Michigan – Local schools look to limit cell phone use as studies show they are a distraction
“It has become clear that excessive exposure to cell phones has a negative effect on school-age children,” the district states in the handbook. “In view of the research findings … students will not be allowed to carry or use cell phones during the school day.”
US Schools Are Banning Cell Phones In The Classroom
This is a compilation of news from 2016 and 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=181&v=mXfwi4pkjOU
UK – schools across the UK should ban mobile phones
“Technology makes being a parent much harder. And schools have a big role too. I enthusiastically support using technology for teaching. But we also need to teach children how to stay safe with technology.
UK – School completely bans mobile phones and teachers say kids’ behaviour changes
“I can’t envisage us ever going back to allowing the pupils to bring out their mobile phones now,” said Mrs Webb.
London – Secondary schools are introducing strict new bans on mobile phones
From September all pupils from 11 to 16 will have to switch off their phones and put them in their lockers from 8.25am to 4pm with parents told they should ring the school if they need to contact their sons or daughters.
Ireland – Proposed legislation looks to tackle phone use in schools
It also intends tackling cyberbullying, harassment, or intimidation of children and stipulates that the code of behaviour will contain an internal discipline process for any such behaviour.
Ireland – Wicklow primary school bans the use of smartphones
Smartphones are no longer permitted in St. Cronan’s following a survey in June where 91.2% of parents voted for a ban on smartphones.”We have had to deal with issues of cyberbullying, we have children accessing inappropriate material, material with adult content,” said Ms Tierney.
Wales – Mobile phones will be banned in NSW primary schools from next year
“Students themselves were saying that mobile phones were a distraction to them in class time.”
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-13/nsw-phone-ban-aims-to-reduce-bullying/10612950
Australia’s most prestigious schools BANS students from using mobile phones, laptops and smart watches – and the kids are LOVING it
Mobile phones are not prohibited on school grounds, but are required to be switched off throughout class time, lunch, and recess or will face confiscation.
Italy – The Court of Florence has ordered the immediate shutdown of Wi-Fi in a school to protect the health of a minor
France to impose total ban on mobile phones in schools
“These days the children don’t play at break time anymore, they are just all in front of their smartphones and from an educational point of view that’s a problem,” said Jean-Michel Blanquer, the French education minister.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/11/france-impose-total-ban-mobile-phones-schools/
France – This School Banned Cell Phones And Happiness Followed
Students are talking and playing more at recess; the youngsters are active and engaged on school field trips, rather than staring at screens; and they say that they are closer with their friends as a result of conversing more with each other.
https://www.blacklistednews.com/article/66959/this-school-banned-cell-phones-and-happiness.html
New Zealand – Auckland school bans phones – and students are happy about it
No cellphones, no headphones and no laptops except for class work.
China bans mobile phones in classrooms
As well as forbidding students from bringing cellphones and tablets to class, the action plan asks teachers not to rely on electronic devices when teaching and giving assignments, and asks them to assign only written homework.
Rwanda – Government outlaws use of cell phones in schools
The Ministry of Education says that no more primary and secondary schools students will be allowed to own or use a mobile telephone at school, citing distraction.
https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/government-outlaws-use-cell-phones-schools
source :
http://parentsforasafeschool.blogspot.com/2019/10/we-want-to-know-why-bc-is-not-banning.html
