BY KAHA G.
As the sun rises over the horizon, a new day begins, full of endless possibilities and opportunities. With the world at our fingertips and technology advancing quickly, it’s no wonder that we’re constantly bombarded with information and distractions. Amidst all the noise and chaos, finding the right balance between education and technology and minimizing distractions is crucial for creating a good learning environment. Today, let’s explore the recent cell phone regulations in Ontario schools and their impact on students. As well as my opinion as a student on it and how technology is affecting our youth.
According to thestar.com, Ontario’s Education Minister Stephen Lecce recently announced new cell phone regulations in schools that have sparked mixed feelings among students. From September, every public school in Ontario will be required to enforce uniform rules regarding cell phone usage. For kindergarten through grade six students, this means keeping phones on silent and out of sight throughout the school day. While older students in grades seven and above will have some freedom to use their devices during breaks; the ban will be in effect during class time.
Many students rely on their smartphones for various purposes, from research to communication with others. While the goal of enhancing focus and concentration is important, students worry about the potential impact on their ability to engage with technology as a learning tool. I think that the phone ban won’t be that bad, and it will give students who use their phones often when the teachers give a lesson no choice but to listen. However, I think we should be able to use our phones in classes teaching other languages like French. Or, at least during times when we are expected to write something down in French, we should be able to search for words and sentences we don’t know for these writing activities.
Furthermore, the government’s decision to involve parents in the enforcement of these regulations is both good and challenging. While parental support is essential for the success of these measures, it also means facing potential consequences at home if students fail to comply with the rules.
Despite these concerns, finding the right balance between education, and technology and minimizing distractions is crucial for creating a healthy learning environment. As Premier Doug Ford puts it, “While you’re in learning, you’ve got to learn.”
Before I end this article, I would like to discuss why it is necessary to mention students from kindergarten to grade four in this ban. First of all, they shouldn’t have phones, because they aren’t old enough. It is crazy for me to imagine little kids of these ages to be putting away their phones until the end of the day. As much as we want to deny it, I think it’s the parent’s fault. At this age, we shouldn’t be giving phones to children at that age at home let alone to take them to school. An iPad at home is fine but phones; ridiculous!
Why are people letting the internet take the role of the parents by teaching kids? Trust me, I know that my generation (Gen Z) is messed up, but if we’re this bad imagine the generations to come. If we increase the time kids spend on technology, when are they going to have time to go outside and play in the park and to be a kid? Children in grade two are asking for air pods and phones. Although having a set screen time for children like (1-2) hours is reasonable, we should normalize having a balance between tech and education.
Most of us have that impulse to reach for our phones, and it is because we’re addicted. If we’re freaking out that we won’t have a phone during school, then it tells us how we have been doing as a society. Normalizing balance for students in pre-K and up is crucial for our success.
When enforcing regulations: educators, policymakers, and students need to consider different perspectives. This is by promoting discussion and collaboration between students, parents, and educators so that a well-balanced approach that prioritizes both focus and technological proficiency in the classroom can be achieved.
Ansari samir
May 18, 2020 at 11:38 pm
Congratulations my little sister…
Great job. We are very happy to see you as a junior writer…
Sabrina
May 19, 2020 at 4:24 pm
Thanks aunty
Sabrina
May 19, 2020 at 10:28 pm
Sorry thanks bro
Sabrina
May 19, 2020 at 4:28 pm
Thanks bro
YK
May 20, 2020 at 4:27 am
Well done Sabrina. Great to see you achieving another milestone. Your parents must be proud of you. All the best my dear child.
Sabrina
May 19, 2020 at 4:28 pm
Thanks
Sajjad
May 19, 2020 at 1:19 am
Well done!!
Best wishes in your future endeavors.
I look forward to you next article. 🙂
Sajjad
May 19, 2020 at 1:20 am
Well done!!
Best wishes in your future endeavors.
I look forward to your next article. 🙂
Sabrina
May 19, 2020 at 4:27 pm
Thanks
Saima
May 19, 2020 at 3:16 am
Great Going Sabreena! Many congratulations and may the almighty give you great success and may you always paint beautifully your reality. All the best little princess.
Sabrina
May 19, 2020 at 4:25 pm
Thanks aunty
Sabrina
May 19, 2020 at 4:37 pm
Thanks
Lubna
May 19, 2020 at 5:04 pm
Dear Sabrina, it was wonderful reading your article. Indeed your skills have really enhanced. I am really happy that you learnt to play the guitar and were a part of a band. Good going dear. Keep up the good work. Looking forward for your next article.
Sabrina
May 19, 2020 at 10:35 pm
Thanks
Neelo sukhnandan
May 19, 2020 at 4:28 am
Congratulations Sweetheart so proud of you keep reaching for the stars.
Sabrina
May 19, 2020 at 10:35 pm
Thanks
ADIL TABREZ
May 19, 2020 at 2:36 pm
Great Read. Keep up the good work….Keep Striving, Keep Achieving. Good Luck, God Speed.
Sabrina
May 19, 2020 at 4:26 pm
Thanks uncle
Manoj Stephen
May 19, 2020 at 6:28 pm
Hi Sabrina, it really mesmerized going through your article, sharing your early year’s experience in a new wonderland, parent’s vital support and the initiative taken at your level to form a school band. Keep going little star as you soar through the horizons. God bless
Mohammad S Ansari
May 19, 2020 at 4:28 pm
I am proud of my angel. Though its begging but its never ending; keep it up. Eagerly waiting for your next article. Wishing you all the best.
Mohammad S Ansari
May 19, 2020 at 4:33 pm
I am proud of my angel. Though its beginning but its never ending; keep it up. Eagerly waiting for your next article. Wishing you all the best.
Sorry for typo error in previous post.
Amit
May 19, 2020 at 4:38 pm
You write beautifully, rockstar. Hope to see you on stage playing your awesome music some day 🙂
Sabrina
May 19, 2020 at 10:33 pm
Thanks
Tariq Gulrez
May 19, 2020 at 4:45 pm
Amazing piece! May your dreams stay big and your worries stay small. Happy writing …
Daljeet Singh
May 19, 2020 at 5:02 pm
Great work Sabrina. Keep it up. God bless you. All the best
Sadaf
May 19, 2020 at 5:04 pm
Amazing Sabrina proud of you 👍
Going great Mashallah 🤩
Haroon Khan
May 19, 2020 at 5:40 pm
Dear Sabrina
It is an excellent news for all of us. May Allah grant you a great success here in this world and hereafter. Your good intentions, sincere efforts and dedication will bring you so high that one day stars of success will come down to kiss your feet In Sha Allah.
Sabrina
May 19, 2020 at 10:32 pm
Thanks a lot
Rajni
May 19, 2020 at 5:57 pm
Very Nice
Sarika
May 19, 2020 at 6:01 pm
That’s a great piece of work! Keep up the good work and you will paint the sky one day. My best wishes for you.
Waiting for your next article…
Shanaz
May 19, 2020 at 7:09 pm
Well done Sabrina, I am so proud of you. My best wishes for you.
Ozma
May 19, 2020 at 7:19 pm
So beautifully penned down …hats off dear Sabrina…so proud of u👏👏👏💕💕💕
Looking fwd to read more ….Best Wishes for your future endeavours💐💐
Sabrina
May 19, 2020 at 10:31 pm
Thanks
Shoeb
May 19, 2020 at 8:32 pm
Good job Sabrina!
Congratulation for this lovely Article!
Looking forward to see more Article 😍
Bakya
May 19, 2020 at 9:06 pm
Congrats Sabrina!!!
Dilraj kaur
May 19, 2020 at 10:26 pm
Good job Sabrina and good luck for your future. Keep it up 👍
Sabrina
May 19, 2020 at 10:30 pm
Thanks
Mkuu Amani
May 20, 2020 at 3:30 am
Awesome!! Well done and welcome to the team Sabrina. I’m looking forward to reading more of your articles.
Shaheen
May 20, 2020 at 5:15 am
Congratulations on your excellent success and good luck for more progress.
And hope you’ll keep up the good work in the future. Very well done.
Sudipta Ghoshal
May 20, 2020 at 10:08 am
Great going Sabrina ! We are so proud of you …