Alberta families asked to weigh in on cellphone usage in schools [Video]

Alberta is looking to tackle the controversial issue of cellphone use by students in schools.

The province has launched a new online survey for all Albertans to give their take on whether phones should be allowed, when they should be allowed and for what purpose.

Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides told Global News earlier this year, he had committed to talking more with parents, teachers and others about the use of cellphones in schools and he’s now following through on that commitment.

Nicolaides pointed to several studies that suggest smartphone and social media use can “negatively impact mental health, affect adolescent self-view and more.”

The province added it was imperative it takes any measures to combat growing youth mental health concerns and it will have more to say on the future of cellphones in classrooms after it had finished talking to parents, teachers and other partners.

The survey is open until May 3.

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Sarah Hamilton said it’s a …