Ontario Cracking Down on Cellphone Use and Banning Vaping in Schools

Table of Contents

1. Content
2. Quotes
3. Related Topics

Ontario's plan to refocus the education system on getting back-to-basics in the classroom includes new standardized provincewide measures, increased parent communication and $17.5 million (2024-25) in additional resources to support students.

Starting in the 2024-25 school year, Ontario families can expect:

Support for students, parents and school staff:

• School boards will be required to notify parents annually on the restrictions and requirements for student cellphone use and the consequences for non-compliance.
• Commitment to have report cards include comments on students' distraction levels in class.
• Enforcement procedures for bans on tobacco, electronic cigarettes (vapes), nicotine products, recreational cannabis, alcohol and illegal drugs.
• A requirement that schools post standardized provincially developed signage in public spaces that reflects the behavioural expectations of the Provincial Code of Conduct.
• Improved links to progressive discipline for students and labour policies for staff to clarify how to address inappropriate behaviour.
• Marketing campaigns directed at students and parents in the fall to support prevention through enhanced education and awareness of enhanced code of conduct standards in all schools.
• Dedicated mandatory training through the use of PA day and extensive webinars for educators and school staff, with emphasis on classroom management practices to remove distractions and strengthen student achievement.
• Ontario's $17.5-million investment is providing:
  • $15 million to promote healthy behaviours and reduce distractions in the classroom by actively supporting students who are at risk of problematic substance use and addictive behaviours.
  • $1 million to School Mental Health Ontario to develop webinars and resources for students and parents across the province on the adverse effects of vaping, and tools to reduce cellphone usage and addictive behaviours and response.
  • $1.5 million for Parent Involvement Committees to enable parents and community partners to run grassroots campaigns to deter vaping and cellphone distractions in classrooms.
• Ontario will set up a task force comprising education partners, parents, students and health experts on the implementation of the Provincial Code of Conduct.

Cellphones and mobile device restrictions in schools:

• Every school will have uniform policy to have cellphones on silent and removed from sight at the beginning of instructional time - the new default unless explicitly directed by the educator.
• If students do not comply, cellphones are immediately surrendered where there is no explicit allowance from the educator.
• For students in kindergarten to Grade 6, there will be a cellphone restriction for the entire school day, but they may be used with permission from the educator.
• A strengthened personal mobile devices policy with clear responsibilities broken down amongst staff and a requirement for best practices to be developed and shared with staff.
• Social media sites will be banned on all school networks and devices.
• Requirement that educators and staff model behaviour and not use personal mobile devices during class for non-work related reasons.
• New ban on sharing and recording videos or photos of individuals without explicit consent.
• $500,000 for digital literacy supports for students during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years.

Rules for vape, tobacco and nicotine products in student possession:

• Every school will have uniform policy to have students immediately surrender vape, tobacco and nicotine products in their possession with parents/guardians notified immediately.
• Strengthening existing mandatory learning on cannabis and vaping within the Health and Physical Education curriculum.
• Investing $30 million over three years to provide schools with critical safety infrastructure funding for security upgrades, such as vape detectors.
• Providing $500,000 to community partners to provide education and supports related to student use of vape, tobacco, nicotine and cannabis products.
• Public Health agencies to continue to be utilized to support education and enforcement where necessary for reoccurring problems, including supports through the STOP program (smoking cessation) through CAMH and the Quash program through the Lung Health Foundation.

Quotes

"Heart & Stroke applauds the government's commitment to address youth vaping and supports the measures announced to curb vape use among Ontario students. Nicotine has no place in schools, as it puts young people at risk for stunted brain development and negative health outcomes. We are encouraged to see a comprehensive approach to nicotine control with prevention efforts, as well as more cessation and mental health supports for students struggling with addiction. Heart & Stroke looks forward to continued collaboration with the government and upstream measures to further address this public health crisis."

- Brady Carballo-Hambleton
Senior Vice President Ontario and Nunavut, Heart & Stroke

"Nicotine addiction in kids is a real concern, and recent studies have revealed that Canada now ranks among the highest youth vaping rates in the world. We support the government's plan to take action in order to protect kids from the serious effects of nicotine and vaping. These strong measures, including transparency with parents and guardians, will lead to meaningful conversations at home and an opportunity for education and promotion of effective cessation support programs. Lung Health Foundation is committed to providing vaping cessation for youth through the Quash program, and we look forward to continuing to work with the government to help address the youth vaping crisis in our schools."

- Jessica Buckley
CEO, Lung Health Foundation

"CAMH commends the Ontario government for taking decisive action to restrict vaping in schools. Nicotine in young people is very addictive and prevention is key. The harms of vaping among adolescents can be profound, ranging from nicotine addiction to respiratory issues and potential long-term health consequences. By prioritizing the health of our students and creating vape-free zones, we are fostering a safer and healthier future for generations to come."

- Dr. Peter Selby
Senior Scientist and Principal Investigator, CAMH Intrepid Lab

"Creating a global culture of respect starts in our schools, so I applaud this government for introducing a comprehensive plan to make Ontario schools safer learning environments by boosting student mental health supports, tackling the problem of vaping in schools and getting kids to put their cellphones away when they're in class. When there is mutual respect between students, parents, teachers and administrators, our young people can learn, grow and reach their full potential."

- Sheldon Kennedy
Co-Founder, Respect Group

"I believe technology has an important place in the classroom. But smartphones are proving to be the number one issue I hear from principals. From phones being used inappropriately, constant texting, secretly taking pictures or videos of other students and teachers, to the distraction from the education provided by their teacher - I have heard and seen it all. Unless medically required, I support the efforts to remove smartphones in elementary schools and restricted use of smartphones in high school classrooms, unless used for education purposes. I have been raising this in lectures with parents for the past eight years and overwhelmingly, parents are supportive."

- Paul Davis
Social Media and Online Safety Educator, Social Network Safety

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