Majority of Quebec teachers in favour of banning cell phones everywhere in schools
Posted March 11, 2025 11:16 am.
Three-quarters of the thousands of teachers who responded to a survey conducted by the Fédération des syndicats de l’enseignement (FSE-CSQ) say they are in favour of a ban on cell phones everywhere in schools.
Most of them also believe that a minimum age should be imposed on social media users.
The federation believes that such measures would reduce teachers’ workload while also improving students’ academic success and social life by minimizing distractions.
The online survey that 6,855 of teachers across Quebec responded to is part of the special commission examining the impact of screens and social networks on young people, which has been underway since last fall.
Commission report to be tabled in May
The Commission spéciale sur les impacts des écrans et des réseaux sociaux sur la santé et le développement des jeunes (CSESJ), an all-party committee, aims to table a report by May 2025.
Premier François Legault proposed this commission in response to pressure from the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) youth wing, which advocated for setting the minimum age for social media access at 16 and restricting screen time in schools.
Quebec’s Education Minister, Bernard Drainville, has said that he’s evaluating the possibility of extending the ban on cell phones everywhere in schools. However, he says prefers to wait for the recommendations of the special commission.
