The Ontario government is considering a much tougher approach to student technology use, including a possible outright ban on cellphones in schools and new restrictions on social media access for children under a certain age.
Paul Calandra said the province is reviewing stronger rules as concerns grow about the impact of smartphones in classrooms. Speaking in London, Ontario, he said evidence increasingly shows cellphone use at both elementary and secondary schools has become a serious issue across school sites.
Ontario already introduced restrictions in 2024. Under current rules, students from kindergarten to Grade 6 must keep phones silent and out of sight throughout the school day. Students in Grades 7 to 12 cannot use phones during class unless specifically permitted by a teacher. A full-site ban would go significantly further.
Calandra said any new rules would likely include exemptions for health needs and other legitimate reasons.
The province is also studying wider online safety measures after comments from Wab Kinew about limiting youth access to social media. Calandra said Ontario is interested in working with the federal government on stronger protections for children and teens, suggesting the province wants broader action than Manitoba’s current proposal.
The debate reflects rising concern among parents, educators and health experts about excessive screen time, cyberbullying, online predators, addictive platform design and the effect social media can have on self-esteem and mental well-being.
Marit Stiles agreed more safeguards are needed but questioned whether a total cellphone ban is practical. She noted many families rely on phones so children can stay in contact with parents, especially in the Greater Toronto Area where students may travel long distances or help care for younger siblings. She suggested keeping devices stored in backpacks could be a more workable solution.
The conversation comes as governments worldwide move toward stricter youth digital rules. Australia recently banned social media accounts for users under 16 on major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and others. Some experts, however, warn such bans may be difficult to enforce and could push usage underground where parents have less visibility.
Calandra also addressed school board governance, saying suspended trustees at supervised boards will not be reinstated until the government believes those boards are firmly back on track.