Four months after Quebec banned cellphones in primary and secondary schools, many school administrators report positive effects on social life, physical activity, and academic performance.
At École Monseigneur-A.-M.-Parent in Longueuil, the day before the holiday break, students flooded the hallways at lunch. Some played cards, others ping-pong or board games.
“Before, everyone was on their phones playing games, but now we play together and talk to each other,” said Constance Boie, a Grade 11 student. Her classmate, Shelby Miclette, described herself as “introverted” and said the ban encouraged her to make new friends. “I’m more open to others than before. It got me out of my bubble a little.”
The school principal, Mélanie Lacourse, said the benefits were apparent almost immediately, particularly in fostering authentic relationships between students. “It’s a more friendly environment. Yes, it’s sometimes louder because they’re talking to each other, but it’s wonderful to see. I’ve noticed a decrease in isolation,” she said. She believes that activities like playing foosball, ping-pong, going to the gym, or spending quality time with a friend positively affect focus, attention, and learning.
Miclette added that without checking phone notifications before class, students’ concentration has improved.
The ban, already in place for Grade 7 students at the school, was expanded this fall to include Grades 8 to 11.
At the Séminaire Saint-François near Quebec City, principal Jean-François Boisvert said he expected some resistance from older students, but the rollout went smoothly with no rebellion or complaints. He noted that students now play, laugh, and talk in the hallways, creating a major impact on social skills.
Clinical psychologist and researcher Linda S. Pagani of the CHU Sainte-Justine research centre said the results are not surprising. Excessive phone use not only hinders learning but also impedes personality development. Adolescence is a critical period for identity formation, and hyperconnectivity can interfere with this process. “It’s like telling a baby to stay in the stroller; you’ll learn to walk later,” she said.
At Séminaire Saint-François, the ban also required changes in supervision, as students now roam, play hide-and-seek, or run in the halls. Boisvert said he prefers managing life in the school rather than a crowd staring at phones.
Pagani added that constant exposure to digital platforms creates mental fatigue and reduces learning capacity. She emphasized the importance of disconnected time and handwriting as a learning tool.
Some private schools still require tablets, but experts are questioning their effectiveness. Boisvert said the school plans to replace tablets with laptops next year, noting that laptops are more aligned with students’ future academic and professional needs. While tablets can be educational, they can also serve as leisure tools, creating challenges for teachers and parents.
The cellphone ban inside classrooms began in January 2024, following the first recommendation of the Special Commission on the Impacts of Screens and Social Media on Youth Health and Development, which released a preliminary report last spring.
