‘Our screens, our rights’: Students strike across Quebec schools against cellphone ban

Quebec students are striking today against the new measure that will ban cellphones at elementary and secondary schools starting next school year.

Videos circulating on TikTok expressing frustration over the restriction invited students across the province to demonstrate this Friday. How they were going to strike though, was unclear.

Many students in the comment sections said to skip classes. That was lightly seen throughout the province today — with some seen gathered outside of their schools this morning and again at lunch time.

Some 50 students were outside of Armand-Corbeil High School in Terrebonne, but when their school bell rang at 7:40 a.m. they dispersed into class, saying that they might return this afternoon during second period.

In Pointe-aux-Trembles, few students from Daniel Johnson High School were seen outside in the morning. Then around noon, dozens came together – chanting and filming near the sidewalk — a police vehicle could be seen patrolling.

Others on social media said to stay home on May 9. That was echoed by some Saint-Henri Secondary School students who spoke to CityNews Wednesday.

“Yeah, I think it’s OK,” said Santiago Issa. “We have to stand up for what we really want.”

“We already work a lot in class and then we need our phones for breaks, so I think it’s a good idea for the strike,” added Madiba Kante.

“Phones are useful for everyone,” said Daniel Diez. “We can enjoy ourselves. We can use it for, I don’t know, the benefits of a school study. We can search for information.”

Others expressed that they actually have a pedological day already scheduled. Replies to that say striking that day is to not risk them receiving consequences, others suggesting to still show up outside of their schools.

“No, I don’t think it’s a good idea because you’re missing school for a strike over a phone that you could use after school when you get home,” student Brianna Huggins told CityNews. “It’s not that important to have your phone.”

“I don’t see the necessity of having a phone during class, which I know is already banned, but also, like, there’s no problem, you can socialize with people during breaks,” said Chris Abou Faissal, a Montrealer. “But you should have access to a phone in case of emergencies, in case of anything like that.”

In a letter to parents on Thursday, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) said that they are aware that some students across the province may be initiating a walk-out on Friday.

“We would like to remind all students and families that students are expected to be in school during the regular school hours,” they wrote.

“During this time of the year, schools are in examination mode,” they added. “Disruptions to classroom teaching and exams will not be tolerated.”

“The safety and security of EMSB students and staff remains our priority at all times.”

“There are several ways to voice your displeasure but missing school shouldn’t be one of them,” Education Minister, Bernard Drainville told journalists at the National Assembly on Thursday.

“I’m calling upon parents to help us out with this,” he added. “Because this could injure their capacity to finish the school year with the results that we’re hoping for them.”

There are also at least two petitions — one already has more than 56,000 signatures — saying cell phones play an essential role in the daily lives of students because they provide quick and secure communication with their loved ones, and they allow for consulting grades, schedules, reminders and homework.

“I understand what Bernard Drainville wants, I understand that, but I also understand what students born after 2000 want,” said Montrealer Rachel Assenza.

Added Montreal’s John Suresh: “I don’t support the part of striking, but I’m definitely in part of welcoming the government for this move because I like this move. It actually is something that I do practice on my life too, so I try to talk to more people. So I think as children, they’re growing, they should have more interaction. We can be stuck up on our phones. And I think I’m in favour for this.”

Last week, Quebec’s education minister announced the full ban on cell phones, even during breaks and on all school grounds. Since January 2024, cell phones were already banned from classrooms. Minister Drainville said he hoped the ban would help students concentrate and socialize more.

“It’s good because it reduces, like, fights,” said Huggins. “So if, like, there’s no phones, there’s no fights in the school. Like, right now, there’s like no fights. So that’s one of the good reasons.”

Added Issa: “No, I don’t think it’s all right because many guys in school, they don’t socialize enough or they don’t like to socialize, so they stay in the phones. So most, for most of them, it should, it will be like so bad.”

In a written statement to CityNews, the Montreal School Services Centre (CSSDM) says that they have informed their secondary school administrators about the existence of this movement. 

They add that depending on how the mobilization takes shape in various settings, a communication could be sent to parents stating that absences must be justified and that the code of conduct will be applied, as usual, to unexcused absences.

‘Our screens, our rights‘

One social media video inviting students to strike was viewed over 470,000 times — on a TikTok account called “Québécois” –where a high school student is seen emphasizing that “much more serious problems should be addressed” by the provincial government.

This video has over 40,000 likes and nearly 5,000 comments, with several reactions.

“It’s a bit logical, you don’t need a phone at school,” said one social media user.

“They should have the right to their phones,” said another. “But leave them in a box when they enter the classroom! I want my children to be able to reach me in an emergency.”

Several young people have shared fliers on TikTok with “We’re not giving in. Our screens, our rights,” read across from it.

–With file from Gareth Madoc-Jones