Quebec to impose full ban on cellphones in schools [Video]

Quebec is moving ahead with a full ban on cellphones and other electronic devices in schools.

Bernard Drainville, the education minister, announced the ban at an afternoon news conference on Thursday, saying cellphones are a barrier to socialization among students and can lead to conflict.

“Too many conflicts, too much violence, starts with cellphones, sometimes even during class hours,” he said. “When there are no cellphones, young people talk.”

The province has already banned cellphones in classrooms, joining a growing list of provinces with similar policies. That measure took effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

The new ban will apply from the beginning to the end of the school day, including breaks. 

The ban will apply to both public and private schools at the elementary school and high school level.

It will come into effect as of the next school year, and it will be up to each school to decide how to implement the change, Drainville said. About 400 Quebec schools have already banned cellphones …