The Department of Education is drafting a new policy which it says could result in restrictions on the use of cell phones in schools, pending public consultation set to begin in September. The changes are being considered in light of growing calls from parents and action being taken in other jurisdictions imposing restrictions on the use of cell phones in the classroom.

Ontario and Manitoba have introduced legislation banning the use of cell phones in the classroom starting this September. The measures are being taken to prevent students from being distracted by their phones in a classroom setting.

The NL Federation of School Councils applauded the action taken by the Ontario government when it was announced in April.

Earlier this year, Ontario’s four largest school boards announced that they were suing some social media giants for disrupting student learning and exposing children to violence and porn.

In this province, students in the K-6 system are not allowed to use their cell phones in class except when required. The department says while schools in grades 7 to 12 have their own policies, a new personal electronic device policy is now in the draft phase. Schools and parents will be consulted on the draft policy starting in September, and feedback will be considered before the new policy is adopted.