There is significant debate surrounding the use of smartphones in schools and classrooms. Researchers cite advantages such as the ability of smartphones to help students learn. For example, apps that can translate English to other languages can help English language learners. However, there is also evidence that smartphones can hinder or prevent learning because of inattentiveness and social isolation (Bottger and Zierer 2024).

In Alberta, the issue of the use of smartphones in classrooms and schools was also a concern for teachers and school leaders. Therefore, in May 2024, at the Alberta Teachers Association’s (ATA) Annual Representatives Assembly (ARA), composed of nearly 450 teachers, a resolution passed on the use of smartphones and other smart devices in classrooms. The resolution read:

4.4.0.1 Be it resolved that the use of smartphones and other smart devices by students in Alberta classrooms during instructional time is prohibited to promote a focused, engaging and safe learning environment, except where teacher professional judgment identifies a pedagogical purpose, including, but not limited to, enhancing digital literacy and engaging with the curriculum in interactive ways, instances where digital wellness education is being explicitly taught or applied, and accommodating properly documented student medical needs. [2024]

Ultimately, the ATA resolution called for a ban on the use of smartphones unless there were important pedagogical or medical reasons to use them. Nearly a month later, on June 17, 2024, Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides announced that a cell phone ban would be implemented in September 2024. There were exceptions carved out for students who had documented medical needs, but other than that, school jurisdictions were charged with crafting policy to ensure that the ban took place.

In January 2025, the ATA conducted a pulse survey asking Alberta teachers and school leaders about the impact of the cell phone ban. The questions about the cell phone ban were developed by Mitchell J. Prinstein, chief science officer of the American Psychological Association, in consultation with Phil McRae, associate coordinator of research at the ATA. Approximately 2,800 teachers and school leaders responded to the survey, and the results have a margin of error of ±2 per cent (19 times out of 20).

Overall, the results of the survey suggest that there are positive results associated with the cell phone ban, particularly in junior and senior high schools. Many elementary teachers shared that the cell phone ban did not apply to their contexts, as most students did not have a cell phone available to them; therefore, the percentages that follow do not include answers of “not applicable.”

There were three main areas that teachers noted improvement. The first was in classroom disturbances. To find out what was happening before the cell phone ban, the survey asked teachers about whether students’ smart devices had a negative impact on classrooms. The vast majority, or 96.6 per cent, agreed that they did have a degree of negative impact. Notably, within that data set, 72 per cent of respondents reported that smart devices had an extremely detrimental or very detrimental impact on their classrooms. In the current school year, 75 per cent of participants agreed there were fewer classroom disturbances due to the provincially mandated ban. These results point to a positive effect in terms of banning smart phones in classrooms.

Second, the survey asked teachers about whether academic performance had been positively impacted by the cell phone ban. A slim majority of those surveyed (57 per cent) agreed or strongly agreed that academic performance had improved. In addition, qualitative comments helped illustrate the lived experience while also showing the complexity involved in implementing a cell phone ban in classrooms. One teacher noted that “students are more focused in class, actual reading in my classroom has greatly increased.” Another shared “it has improved participation, engagement, and academic performance.”

Teachers also stated that there were some drawbacks to not having cell phones in classes, with one respondent writing, “Some positive teaching and learning activities that students could use their phone for are not available.” The benefits of the cell phone ban on academic performance are not likely fully understood, given that the policy has only been in place for a short time, but initial results appear to support the wisdom of the ban.

Last, participants noted improved student mental well-being, with 66 per cent agreeing or strongly agreeing that the cell phone ban had helped with this issue. However, while this statistic shows promise, participants pointed out that while the ban helped with mental wellness during class time, once students were able to access their technology outside of class, the same issues of cyberbullying and constant focus on smart devices persisted.

Participants noted that the use of smart devices is an opportunity for partners in education to come together to strengthen the positive impact of the policy shift for classrooms. For example, one respondent shared that “there should be legislation put in place to limit or ban social media companies from marketing the apps to kids” and another noted, “we need a provincial campaign to shift the culture of cell phone use in society.”

While the pulse survey results suggest there has been some positive impact on students and classrooms in Alberta, there continues to be much work to do with respect to helping students use this powerful technology in ways that enhance their lives as opposed to detract from them. The survey certainly points to the implementation of the cell phone policy and the proper use of smart devices as fertile ground upon which parents and teachers can find mutual understanding and partnership.

References

Böttger, T., and Zierer, K. 2024. “To Ban or Not to Ban? A Rapid Review on the Impact of Smartphone Bans in Schools on Social Well-Being and Academic Performance.” Education Sciences 14 (8): 906. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14080906.

Canadian Press. 2024. “Alberta to ban cellphones in K–12 classrooms starting in fall.” The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, June 17.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-classroom-cell-phones-1.7237567.