In classrooms across Quebec, a quiet but profound shift is underway. Starting Fall 2025, the provincial government will implement a bell-to-bell ban on cellphones in all public schools. The goal? To restore focus, improve student wellbeing, and shield youth from the growing mental health risks associated with constant digital connectivity. This decision reflects not only mounting research but also the province’s strong political consensus around the need to act.
Quebec’s Bold Step: A Province-Wide Ban on Personal Devices
In June 2024, the Quebec government established a special provincial committee to investigate how screen time and social media are affecting young people’s health and development. Comprised of elected officials from all four parties in the National Assembly, the committee released a 15-page interim report in April 2025 with a single, powerful recommendation:
Fully ban cellphones, headphones, and other personal electronic devices in all primary and secondary schools. (Assemblée nationale du Québec, 2025)
This recommendation—now being adopted as policy—underscores growing concern over the mental, emotional, and academic toll of unchecked screen exposure in schools. The Committee’s final report (2025) expands on this recommendation, exploring:
- The total amount of time youth spend on screens
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- Supervision strategies both in school and online
- Access to social media and video games
- Cyberbullying and exposure to explicit content
- Minors’ access to pornography
- Addictive app features and manipulative design
- Advertising targeting children
(Assemblée nationale du Québec, 2025)
This wide-reaching inquiry reveals just how seriously Quebec is taking the digital wellbeing of its youth.
What the Research Says: The Case for a Ban
A growing body of research paints a troubling picture. A 2023 study by Statistics Canada, which surveyed over 13,000 teens aged 12 to 17, found that adolescents who used social media or messaging apps “constantly” were far more likely to struggle with:
- Depression and anxiety
- Eating disorders
- Suicidal ideation — nearly 1 in 5 girls reported considering suicide in the past year
(Kerr & Kingsbury, 2023; Statistics Canada, 2025)
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Critically, even after accounting for cyberbullying and inadequate sleep—both of which are worsened by phone use—screen time remained strongly linked to mental health challenges, especially disordered eating.
For Quebec, this data validates the committee’s approach: limiting phones during school hours is not just about reclaiming attention—it’s about protecting adolescent health.
Classroom Distraction and Cognitive Costs
Phones don’t need to be in use to disrupt learning. Their mere presence has been shown to reduce working memory and problem-solving performance by up to 11%, even when turned off. The act of checking notifications or toggling between apps delays a return to deep focus by 23 minutes per interruption. These are not minor losses; over time, they erode the foundation of sustained learning.
By removing phones entirely during school hours, Quebec schools can begin to normalize attention spans and reduce digital dependency.
Parent Concerns and Communication Solutions
Understandably, many parents worry about staying connected with their children during emergencies or throughout the day. But schools implementing bans have shown there are effective, balanced alternatives:
- Scheduled phone access during lunch or breaks
- Front office phone lines available for urgent messages
- Encouraging message “batching” rather than constant checking
These new routines help students develop healthier communication habits while maintaining parental peace of mind.
More Than Academics: Social and Emotional Gains
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The Statistics Canada study (2024) also confirmed that face-to-face interaction drops by 30% when phones are present. Meanwhile, increased phone use correlates with declines in empathy, social intelligence, and sleep quality. Students with phones in their bedrooms sleep 45 minutes less per night on average, leading to lethargy and disengagement in class.
Removing phones during school hours can be a gateway to better sleep, stronger peer relationships, and greater emotional stability.
A Pathway to Implementation for Quebec Schools
To ensure success, schools should take a thoughtful, phased approach:
- Establish Clear, Consistent Policies
Define when and where devices must be stored. Ensure equity and clarity across all classrooms. - Choose Practical Storage Solutions
Wall pockets, lockers, or lockboxes—select methods that are secure, accessible, and age-appropriate. - Train and Empower Staff
Offer training to help teachers manage classrooms without phones and respond to challenges confidently. - Engage Parents and Students
Run information sessions, explain the rationale, and share real research to build trust and support. - Monitor, Reflect, Adjust
Track outcomes on engagement, discipline, mental health, and academics. Refine policies with feedback.
Looking Ahead: Quebec as a Leader in Youth Digital Wellbeing
The Quebec government is not alone in recognizing the dangers of excessive screen time, but it is leading the way with one of the most comprehensive school phone bans in North America. This policy isn’t about rejecting technology—it’s about drawing boundaries that prioritize student development.
As the final report from Quebec’s provincial committee approaches, it’s likely we’ll see even broader recommendations that touch all aspects of youth digital life—from gaming to advertising. For now, though, one thing is clear: Quebec schools are choosing to put student wellbeing before convenience. In doing so, they’re creating safer, calmer, and more connected learning spaces—where students can focus, grow, and thrive without the constant pull of the screen.
References
Assemblée nationale du Québec. (2025, April). CSESJ rapport intérimaire [PDF]. https://www.assnat.qc.ca/Media/Process.aspx?MediaId=ANQ.Vigie.Bll.DocumentGenerique_210211&process=Default&token=ZyMoxNwUn8ikQ+TRKYwPCjWrKwg+vIv9rjij7p3xLGTZDmLVSmJLoqe/vG7/YWzz
Kerr, S., & Kingsbury, M. (2023, February 15). Online digital media use and adolescent mental health. Health Reports, 34(2). Statistics Canada. https://doi.org/10.25318/82-003-x202300200002-enghttps://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2023002/article/00002-eng.htm
Kingsbury, M., Reme, B.-A., Skogen, J. C., Sivertsen, B., Øverland, S., Cantor, N., Hysing, M., Petrie, K., & Colman, I. (2021). Differential associations between types of social media use and university students’ non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal behavior. Computers in Human Behavior, 115, Article 106614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2020.106614
Statistics Canada. (2024, June 25). Scrolling through the social media stats. https://www.statcan.gc.ca/o1/en/plus/6540-scrolling-through-social-media-stats
