Ontario Government introduces measures to crack down on cell phones, and vaping in schools

BY PAUL JUNOR

There has been attention related to cell phone use in schools and vaping among adolescents that has been an ongoing concern among education stakeholders. The Ontario government has decided to address these issues by providing guidance to school boards.

On Sunday, April 28^th, 2024, an announcement was made by Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce regarding what it has mandated for school boards to do.  In the release Minister Lecce states, “We have heard loud and clear from parents and teachers alike that cellphones in classrooms are distracting kids from learning. Our government is introducing the toughest policy in Canada to tackle this issue by cracking down on cell phone usage during class time as well as banning vaping in all schools. When it comes to cell phones, our policy is ‘out of sight, and out of mind,’ as we get students back to the basics by restoring focus, safety, and common sense in Ontario schools.”

The press release mentioned other initiatives that the provincial government will be taking. “Social media websites will be removed from all schools’ networks and devices, and report cards will include comments on students’ distraction levels in class.” The government did not release details about when the compulsory training for educators will start, or who will be conducting it as well as when and how new support for students and parents will be available.

• In order to ensure that these initiatives are funded, the government will provide $17.5 million in additional wrap-around support towards sustaining student mental health and parent engagement. These include:
• $15 million to provide support for students at-risk of addictive behaviors.
• $1 million, in partnership with School Mental Health Ontario, to develop webinars and resources targeted to parents and students across the province to learn how to talk about the adverse effects of vaping and cellphone usage.
• $1.5 million to Parent Involvement Committees and students to run local prevention campaigns to help deter vaping.

Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health states, “Ontario is seeing a growing need of youth in Grades seven through 12  report using vaping products that contain and emit many toxic substances. These products can affect the: respiratory, immune and cardiovascular systems, and nicotine in these products are particularly harmful to youth brain development. Removing vaping products from Ontario schools will help protect our students from these preventable threats.”

Ronald Chon, President & CEO of SickKids states, “We have seen an increasing number of adolescents and teens who are using vaping devices, which can lead to both short-term and long-term health problems. Nicotine can also become a long-term addiction, especially while students’ brains are also developing. We are pleased to see the Ministry of Education acknowledging the increasing use of vaping devices among Ontario’s students.”

Natalie Pierre, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education and MPP of Burlington writes, “At a time when young people are facing so many distractions, mental health pressures and even potential dangers such as: addictions, cyberbullying and online predators, we are taking measures to protect students by cracking down on vaping and other addictive substances, removing social media from school networks and devices and increasing student mental health supports. Students deserve positive and distraction-free schools that promote positive mental health and allow for uninterrupted learning.”