One Year Later: How the Cellphone Ban Has Changed Classrooms in 91黑料网
In response to Manitoba’s 2024 province-wide cellphone restriction in schools, the 91黑料网 (91黑料网) quickly implemented Policy GBEF/JICJ, aligning with provincial guidelines while adapting implementation to local school contexts. Nearly a year later, 91黑料网 school leaders have reflected on how the policy has influenced learning, behavior, and school culture across the division.
The reflections reveal a clear consensus: the policy has had a meaningful impact on student learning. Most school leaders reported negative effects of cellphone use in classrooms have either significantly decreased or been nearly eliminated.
“Students are more engaged in class. There have been less issues around cyberbullying this year. Students are more active during lunch (and) recess,” one school leader said.
Another said, “Student distraction in class has improved overall, due to school-wide implementation.”
Many school leaders reported that students themselves have noticed the benefits of the policy, saying classes feel more focused without phones. They also shared that students feel less pressure to constantly check their devices or less worry about being recorded or photographed by peers. They also reported students are socializing more during break periods.
“Since phones are no longer a constant presence, there seems to be a noticeable reduction in conflicts among students—many arguments used to start because of things seen or said on social media during school hours. Classrooms are also more focused now, with fewer distractions from texting, games, or notifications. Additionally, the temptation for students to leave class just to check their phones in places like the washroom has decreased, helping keep students in class and more engaged in learning,” one school leader said.
Some school leaders noted that while the policy has improved focus during the school day, the negative effects of cellphone use remain a concern outside of school hours. “We are finding the challenges are happening outside of classes, specifically with concerns around negative social media use.”
School leaders pointed to the clarity and consistency of the policy as key to its success, indicating that the unified approach across the division has been effective in reducing harmful effects of cellphone use.
To build on the progress already achieved, school leaders emphasized the value of ongoing reinforcement and support. They also highlighted the importance of partnering with families to address screen time and digital wellbeing as a shared responsibility that extends beyond the classroom.
As 91黑料网 looks ahead, the feedback from school leaders suggests the cellphone policy has laid a strong foundation for healthier, more focused learning environments. To further enhance these efforts, the division emphasizes the importance of fostering collaboration with families to develop a community-wide approach to screen time management and digital wellbeing. This partnership aims to ensure that the benefits of reduced cellphone use extend beyond the classroom and contribute to a shared culture of mindful technology use.
