School District 91 has approved updates to their Digital Technology, Consent, and Privacy Policy, aligning with the new provincial Ministry of Education and Child Care guidelines.
The updates were approved by school board trustees during a Board of Education meeting on June 24, SD 91 said in a June 26 statement.
Effective for the 2024-25 school year, these revisions mandate restrictions on cell phones and personal digital devices connected to the internet during school hours.
The Ministry directive is aimed at curbing distractions and protecting student well-being after concerns over cellphone interruptions, addictive social media algorithms, and potential risks of exploitation.
"Research shows that frequent cellphone interruption in the classroom, social media platforms with addictive algorithms and predators who seek to exploit young people all present significant risks to young people, " the education ministry said in an earlier news release.
"Studies have found that children's mental health and physical safety can suffer as a result of body-image distortion, cyberbullying, images shared without consent and disturbing instances of sextortion."
SD 91's updated policy specifies that in elementary schools personal digital devices must be powered off and securely stored throughout the school day. Usage is restricted to instructional purposes with teacher permission and supervision.
Similarly, devices must also be powered off and stored during instructional time, across SD 91's secondary schools, unless specifically authorized for educational purposes by a teacher.
Secondary students however may use devices outside of class time.
The policy recognizes the benefits of digital devices for students requiring medical support, language translation, and accessibility adaptations under Individual Education Plans (IEPs). Parents and caregivers are encouraged to contact their local school for more details prior to the fall term.
As per current practice, the district will not assume liability for lost, missing, or damaged personal digital devices brought to school by students.
