New Brunswick’s child and youth advocate is welcoming tighter rules for cellphone use in classrooms.
The province recently announced changes to Policy 311 which will take effect in September.
During class time, students will have to place their phones in a designated area on silent. Cellphone use will be allowed, at the teachers’ discretion, for educational reasons.
Kelly Lamrock, who wrote a legislative briefing note to MLAs, said the education department’s decision is a solid one backed by evidence.
“Young people’s social media use is correlated with a huge increase in mental health problems, anxiety and depression particularly,” Lamrock said in an interview.
“We know it is also correlated with a lack of attention and a lack of critical thinking and analytical skills.”
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When making the announcement, Education Minister Bill Hogan said there is evidence that indicates cellphone use in classrooms should be limited.
Hogan said the strengthened policy will reinforce the ability of teachers to effectively oversee cellphone use in their classrooms and limit their use to teaching or medical purposes.
While the child and youth advocate said the tighter rules are a good first step, Lamrock said there is more the province should do.
“Now the important thing is to also take this opportunity to make sure that we’re giving children a good solid civics education in mindful cellphone use,” he said.
Lamrock said the culture of instant certainty that social media promotes has led to more access to misinformation online and more exposure to extreme or hateful content.
