The province has said it wants to restrict cellphone use in classrooms, something the president of the Delta Teachers’ Association supports.
Finding the best way of curbing technology however, while preserving its advantages, will take sorting out.
“Overall, the DTA is pleased that the government is working on this issue to keep kids safe, absolutely,” Susan Yao told the Optimist, but she noted the government is talking about restrictions on cellphones rather than a ban.
“So, what will that look like? Policies have yet to be determined,” she said.
Many teachers will welcome the change because cellphones and social media can be a distraction to learning, as well as a hazard to student mental health, she added. Sharing images, extortion and bullying can all take place.
“And we don’t know what’s happening in the hallways, when students aren’t in class,” she added.
However, many teachers use technology in their classroom for research, communication or for use as calculators, while some teachers ask students to put their cellphones away. There are good and bad points for such devices, Yao said.
And how will restrictions impact the positive uses of devices in education?
“So what will new policies look like and how will they be implemented,” she said.”
B.C. Premier David Eby said on Jan. 26 that the government plans on “restricting the use of cellphones in schools” but gave no details, saying the government will work with school districts, to ensure schools have policies by September.
The premier also announced services to remove images from the internet and pursue predators and hold social media accountable for the harm they’ve caused people.
However, guidelines are already in place for both students and teachers, when it comes to personal communication devices, said Delta School District superintendent Doug Sheppard, who welcomed the government’s announcement.
The school district’s procedures, revised in 2022, say that mobiles are not to be used during class time (unless such use helps with learning, as permitted by the teacher) or during any school activity and that they should be stored in silent mode.
During emergencies, school principals can decide acceptable use during those situations.
Neither can cellphones be used during exams, without permission, or in change rooms or washrooms. Those who don’t comply, could face disciplinary measures.
The procedures also note that storing the phones securely is the owner’s responsibility.
But in the next few months, government should send more detailed guidelines about cellphone restrictions, Sheppard added.
“Once we have that information, we will look at making any necessary changes for implementation at the start of the new school year in September,” Sheppard said.
Yao also asked if, once policies are decided, who will oversee enforcement?
“Teachers are already being challenged with the many aspects of their job. They don’t need yet another task to manage,” Yao added, saying that smaller class sizes helps everything.
Families also must support the policies, she added.
Still, Yao is happy the government is doing something, adding that the use of cellphones is a community and societal problem, that must be addressed together, with teachers consulted.
And once a policy is announced, it won’t be perfect and will require more discussion, she added.
