Over the last few weeks I have been asked a number of questions regarding the cell phone ban in Ontario schools. Of course the ban is not really a ban. According to the CBC story on it , “The directive says students can only use personal mobile devices during instructional time if it is for educational purposes, for health or medical purposes, or for special needs.” That is pretty much how things are in all the classrooms I see in BC, and to the best of my understanding the general guidelines across the country. Technology is intended for learning.
And while the headline of banning cell phones nicely ignites people who hold views on both extremes, the reality I am seeing in schools is that teachers and schools have put guidelines in place and worked on building culture with students that make cell phones a part of school as needed. And this is nothing new, I was blessed to work at Riverside Secondary in Port Coquitlam more than a decade ago and even at that time they were figuring out thoughtful ways of using handheld devices in classrooms. Saying “ban cell phones” in schools is one of those things that wins easy political points, but like “the hat rule” or “proper dress codes” or “making homework mandatory” or any other of these kind of catch phrases are actually kind of silly. Schools, and our world, is far more grey.
So OK, if this is what I think, why do I think it is time for a ban of cell phones in schools?
Well, I am actually not talking about the students. I find generally students have it figured out pretty well. I have been wondering about a parent ban of cell phones in schools. It is funny that one of the most common reasons I hear from parents around banning student cell phones is “my kid texts me in the middle of the day when they should be learning.” I always think, well, why do you text them back. Or often, why did you text them in the first place?
We have a generation of parents who lack presence when they are at school. I see this at parent nights, with parents scrolling their social media as the Principal speaks, at Parent Conferences when they are texting to organize something later in their days while their child is reviewing her work, and I really see it at school sporting events and school productions. Look up in the crowd at any elementary or secondary basketball game and you will see parents plastered to their screens, maybe looking up when their son or daughter is on the floor. And at school productions they are using these phones and other hand-held gizmos to stand-up at the front, often blocking the audience to record the event.
Imagine if schools were a cell phone free zone for parents. I often say that parents could learn a lot from their children regarding technology use, I also think they could learn a lot from their children about when not to use their technology.
This is a little tongue and cheek, and I don’t really want to ban parents from their devices, but I do want all of us with children in schools, who actually so rarely get to visit these schools, to better treat this time as a gift, and to be a bit more present when we do.
cultureofyes.ca 
Well said, Chris. I see parents everywhere in public ignoring their children, even toddlers, to give rapt attention to whatever is on their screen. Hardly “quality time” or “bonding moments” for the kids, and obviously poor modelling.
As a high school teacher I tried to learn the norms for behaviour in various types of workplace and post-secondary education setting, and alert students to what their future employers and educators would expect of them. Perhaps high school leaders (if they aren’t already) could gain some useful insights from the world beyond school to guide their school’s policy about the use of digital devices during the school day by students and staff.
The hardest part, though, might be getting a critical mass of parents to support the implementation of measures that would increase their kids’ concentration span, creativity, productivity, common courtesy, and grades.
Amen!
Morning!
As a parent with children in school this is a nice reminder to be “present”at school functions…cheers
Yes, I know I am guilt as a parent. I rush out of work to get to a school event only to be distracted by something that is really of no consequence on my device.
Beautiful! Loved it! Telling kids to do what we say, not what we do is not practical! Parents are afraid of leaving it up to their kids to decide on their given 32 minutes with freedom of choice while their own behaviors articulated here beautifully! It would be very interesting to put your thoughts in effect so parents get a better understanding of how it feels when they don’t get a choice for a short period of time versus kids who were given just one choice out of a very structured day of school! I connected two controversial school stories here, not sure if it makes sense for everybody! I am personally amazed that West Vancouver Secondary school “adopt an altered schedule that provides students with a 32 minutes block of flexible instructional time per day.” I was kind of disappointed to observe how panicked some parents were when they have been told about a chance of new learning style at West Vancouver Secondary school! Oh well!!!😊
Hey – I see what you did there :). There is definitely something to this. You either believe that with support, guidance, modeling and redirection (as necessary) young people will make good decisions or not. I am always on the side of giving more ownership to young people and they will often rise to our hopes and expectations. And the entire issue of choice that you raise is a really good topic. We need to be putting students in these positions so they can make decisions (including mistakes). And it is often worth reflecting on our own behaviour -and ensuring it is not a do as I say and not as I do situation. Thanks for adding to the conversation. And it will be great to see how students (and the adults) use their FIT time this year!
Well said Chris! Although I no longer have young people in District 45 schools, I was disturbed to hear about parents using their devices at events. One of the greatest opportunities I had as a parent was building relationships with administration, staff, other students and parents. It made for a very rich experience and I miss that community!
[…] have written recently on this blog a couple posts which also speak to my concerns first on the use of cell phones by parents in schools and then more recently on the important differences between technology and social media. I […]
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