GNWT considering territory-wide school cell phone policy

The NWT government is considering whether to introduce a personal mobile devices policy that would apply across all of the territory’s schools.

Currently, there are different approaches to cell phones depending on the school board, community or school.

In a statement, education minister Caitlin Cleveland said she and education leaders recently “had a constructive discussion about what’s working, what’s not, and how more consistent territorial guidance could help support students, educators and schools.”

“We also talked about the potential benefits of a clearer policy, such as improved focus, stronger peer relationships and fewer classroom disruptions for everyone,” Cleveland stated.

“You need to have these policies in place so you can make sure that the learning environment is set,” said David Wasylciw, chair of both the NWT Education Leaders and the Yellowknife Education District No 1 (YK1) board of trustees.

He pointed out that no cell phones doesn’t mean no technology in schools. 

For example, he said, YK1 schools use 1,700 Chromebooks in classrooms and have installed outside internet access points at some schools, allowing classes to be held outdoors when the weather is nice.

Cleveland explained teachers and other education staff, as well as families, are concerned about the impact of mobile devices on students in classrooms.

She said the issue has come up multiple times – from an NWT Teachers’ Association meeting to multiple education leaders’ meetings.

After the most recent education leaders’ meeting on June 11, the Government of the Northwest Territories said further steps will be confirmed ahead of the upcoming school year.

So far, no decisions have been made.

What could a policy look like?

The next step for the GNWT is to consider what policy, if any, would make the most sense for northern classrooms.

Other provinces have already implemented broad policies around cell phone use. Ontario has rules around how and when students can use mobile devices, and has also banned social media from its school networks and devices.

British Columbia’s policy requires all school boards to ensure their codes of conduct have at least one statement about restricting personal digital devices in schools.

In the NWT, Cleveland and Wasylciw both pointed to the Tłı̨chǫ̨ Community Services Agency’s cell phone policy as a strong example.

The TCSA’s policy restricts students from carrying or using personal devices while at school, with limited exceptions for high school students during break time.

Individual schools have the authority to make exceptions to the policy during extra-curricular trips, field trips, and on buses if they choose. Personal devices – for both staff and students – are not allowed to connect to TCSA networks.

Linsey Hope, the TCSA’s director of education, said board members were concerned about the amount of cell phone use in schools and how disruptive it was to learning. 

“As they were making the decision whether or not to put a policy in place, we shared with them a lot of the research that’s been coming out that indicates excess cell phone use and social media is linked with a lot of negative effects on mental health and even physical health,” she said.

Hope added research also indicates social media use is correlated with a decrease in social connections and attendance. 

A 2023 Unesco global education monitoring report, cited by the Ontario government when announcing its cell phone crackdown, also found a negative link between too much cell phone use and academic performance.

Pick up a book, engage, play

The TCSA’s policy outlines consequences for students using devices when they are not supposed to, starting with losing the device for the day.

For repeat offenders, parents are required to come to the school to retrieve the device. Conversations can be had with the student about how the school can support them if the student is worried about maintaining contact with home.

Hope said putting boundaries in place for kids and teenagers can be hard, but the board felt this was their job as the education body.

The policy came into force in June 2023. Hope said it was well received across the four Tłı̨chǫ̨ communities and has had a positive impact on each school’s day-to-day working.

“We want them to pick up a book. We want them to engage in conversation with a peer or an adult,” said Hope.

“We wanted kids to play. We wanted kids to be physical, we wanted kids to be removing from the screen.

“This is a critical element to brain development, and we really want to support all parents by making sure that schools are one place where kids are focused on their learning.”