Do you think cellphones should be banned in primary and high school classrooms?
That’s the question Martin from Gatineau (QC) asked our LEO community on June 3, 2025.
As back-to-school season approaches, the topic sparked an animated debate. Over 9,773 members responded to this highly sensitive issue on cellphone ban in the classroom.
If you answered yes, you’re among the 83 % of Canadians in the LEO community who share that opinion.
- 83 % of respondents want to see cellphones banned from classrooms.
- 10 % said no, and
- 7 % were unsure.
In other words, the vast majority of Canadians support this ban.
Who are the strongest supporters of a ban of cellphones in the classroom?
The strongest supporters are Canadians aged 55 and over (including ages 55–64, 65–74 and 75+), with 89 % supporting a classroom ban.
The strictest province is Nova Scotia, with 88 % in favour.
Meanwhile, Alberta shows the highest regional opposition, at 14 %.
The most opposed? Men aged 18 to 24, with 36 % against the ban.
Who’s still unsure?
Women aged 18 to 24, with 18 % unsure about the issue.
This isn’t a scientific poll — it’s based on voluntary responses from the LEO community — but it clearly shows where the public stands.
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And you, do you think cellphones should be banned in schools? Tell us in the comments!
All comments must remain respectful and must not contain inappropriate, offensive, defamatory content, or anything that goes against the terms of use; otherwise, they may not be approved or may be removed by LEO.
112 responses to “Question of The Day : Cellphones in the Classroom”
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Yes, absolutely! We did it before cell phones were even invented. The children need to be focused on their school work and nothing else. Cell phones in the classroom are a huge distraction!
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I believe in this day and time kids should allow to keep their cell phone with them in their bag in the classroom as long as they do not take it out during class when the teacher is teaching them just in case of emergency they might need to contact their family or something they need to have this cell phone just in case of emergency especially nowadays when kids are shooting up classroom and a lot of stuff going on for that reason only I would say they should have there cell phone in their bag during class as long as they do not take it out when the teachers teach you
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Yes I believe restrictions placed. Hand your cell to the teacher of the classroom. If there is a family emergency for a student,the family can call the school to report to have the student be reached from the office. When the class is finished there cell phones are handed back. Students can keep there cell phone in there lockers.
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Yes it has no place in learning
They are distracted and will only depend on their phones instead of learning what they need too -
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Non je ne trouve pas qu’il devrais être interdit dans les écoles,mes juste dans les classes.plusieurs restent du réconfort sur l’heure du dîner en pouvant parler avec leurs proches ou sur l’heure des pauses alors cela nuirait à plusieurs personnes
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Yes, I think that it will help the kids to learn better and focus more in class and I think it’ll be a good idea to take them away while they’re in class and given at the end of the day
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During school hours no ! kids are not learning, people skills, during the school years. Kids need to be social, in order to have people life skills, to read people learn what being happy is, to learn how to solve a problem on a act of feeling, or feelings. Phones are distracting, like any other computer, it drives you to another page forgetting where you left off on the first page, relying on it for trying to help them think, where they should do this on there own.
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Yes…I believe that they need to be banned because you can find an answer to anything regarding the subject you are studying which wouldn’t inspire students to learn ,understand and study on their own.
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Technology exists to create zones where cell phones do not work. Turn the zones off and on as needed, on during break times, classrooms where internet is required and during emergencies, off during classroom time.
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Ask instead, why are kids in school? They learn zip from phones. Kids need to learn basics and life skills to prepare them for living independently. They need skills, knowledge and practice at developing problem solving skills. Having phones in class defeats this.
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Yes, they should banned cell phones in classrooms because it can decreased focus and attention in the classroom, it can also contribute to cyberbullying which of course students may use them to send hurtful messages or share inappropriate content.
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I survived high school without cell phones.
I think they have created more issues than solved them. -
Yes definately, I think that cell phones should not be allowed in schools. First of all, mobile phones are the main cause of poor concentration leading to poor grades. Then, teachers may feel disrespected. Sometimes tutor is expalining some important topics and students are busy scrolling their phones, which lowers the self esteem of teachers.
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Yes I believe that cell phone’s should be banned during class. They are there to learn and having cell phones in class is a big distraction.
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Promotes Better Mental Health and Social Interaction, Constant phone use and social media can contribute to anxiety, stress, and poor mental health among students. By removing phones from the classroom and school environment, it may help reduce cyberbullying, which often escalates from digital communication. Teachers and principals at schools with bans have anecdotally reported that students are more engaged with each other face-to-face and that there’s a more positive social environment.
Decreases Cheating and Misuse: Phones can be used to cheat on tests, plagiarize work, or record and share videos of other students without their consent, which can lead to serious disciplinary issues. -
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Yes, they should be banned during class hours. But all parents should have the school contact number, to be reached in an emergency and then an individual should have the responsibility of finding that student and letting them know of the emergency being expressed by the parent.
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Yes, I belive cellphone should he banned classroom most especially during learn.
They’re distraction and student need to focus on learning. -
Why is the The most opposed: “Unsurprisingly”, men aged 18 to 24? Why is that not surprising? Please, I’m truely curious to this.
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Hello Craig, thank you for bringing this to our attention. We’ve updated the article to remove the term “unsurprisingly” to ensure it presents only the data without additional interpretation.
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Yes, phones should be banned in the classroom. However not banned in school. If they need to text their parents or make a call, they should not get into trouble for trying to contact their families or friends.
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I think they should be banned in classrooms, they’re too much of a distraction and parent should ensure there is a balance
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School is suffocating. I think students should be able to have their phones for breaks and when they’re finished work. But for during class lessons they should have them put away.
Phones is a social norm now so having no Phones would be impossible. -
I believe that technology has a place in society, but does not havie a place in school room’s.
The accessibility to knowledge should come from books that have been read, not from devices that can give answers to any question asked.
We live in a society that doesn’t seem to want to learn through ethical channels. -
There is no need for children to have phones in schools. They’re a distraction. I’ve been in classrooms when kids have had the phones, they aren’t paying attn, they’re watching videos. Cell phones and social media are ruining our children.
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Yes, I believe cell phones should be banned in primary and high schools. They can be a major distraction, preventing students from focusing on lessons and homework. Phones also increase the risk of cyberbullying and reduce face-to-face social interaction. By limiting phone use at school, students can concentrate better, engage more with classmates, and develop healthier habits.
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I believe cell phones must be banned from schools education focus is actually more important than the social media and electronics, there are a distraction
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A firm YES. The parents are supplying the devices and creating a “need” to stay in contact with their children. If there is an emergency, the school can call the parents.
In High school, the electronic device creates a dependency, removes social interaction, distracts students and creates shorter attention spans.
If there is an emergency regarding a student, the school Admin can “call” the parents. Also, adults should be aware that some students carry 2 phones.
No cell phones 100% -
Absolutely they should be banned! They are nothing more than a distraction! People hide behind them and now we have a whole gestation or two that are complete social misfits as they cannot function without a cell phone! I have never owned a cell phone and the shocked reaction and comments I get are astounding! How can you live? How do you function? Crazy!
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Of course they should be. The technology is already as use and in everyone’s hands at all times. We should be teaching the kids how to properly and safely use the technology that is part of every second life, or daily use, and to the best degree possible. If you can set a rule to ban them then you can surely set rules for use in the classroom. Only makes science otherwise they may not learn a technology and how to utilize it and get the maximum benefit from it. They could even fall behind or be hindered from not learning what it can do or how to use it.
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I believe that on occasion cell phones should be allowed for teaching instruction. For example how to maximize security for safe use and for research.
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I believe they should be allowd in classrooms, but under strict guidelines. Cell phones are a tool, and like all tools, they can be useful at times. Teach the children when it is appropriate to take them out in the classroom, for instance, project research, printing reports or using the calculator app. If they use the phones at times when they shouldn’t be, have appropriate consequences.
In my opinion, this would contribute to teaching them responsibility, as well as a very versatile tool, in the classroom -
Yes they should be banned in public schools. Disruptive, and there is a negative impact on social dynamics.
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Yes cellphones should be banned in schools. It’s good for children’s wellbeing and mental health.
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Yes they should ban the cell phones. It distracts and prevents children from learning. With no cell phones, children can learn to interact with kindness, support and helpfulness communicate, respect and understand the cultures and disabilities.
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Yes phones should not be in the classroom. Children need to use there brains to learn not a computer which most phone’s are. When I was in school you had to show how you got the answer to the questions. Now we are creating dumb kids because everything is done for them by a phone not by there brains and creative thoughts and processes.
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Yes, i believe cell phones should be banned in class room while the teacher is teaching, but cell phones should be accessible for in class work as need be.
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Cell phone should be banned in all way to the kids. And it supposed to be limited to till Grade 12. If there are not allowed to use cell phone, they would be more to doing interesting and creative things, know about the nature, world and real life experience.
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Yes and no. For instance, my daughter is type 1 diabetic and her phone is considered a medical device. Her dexcom (continuous glucose monitor) is linked to her phone and then linked to mine. I can keep track of her blood sugars throughout the day. Also, she needs to communicate with me often throughout the day for dosing , restrictions, emergencies. Type 1 diabetes is an invisible yet deadly disease. Most can not even tell she’s diabetic until she’s in immediate danger or she actively tells people. Some don’t really even understand the magnitude of the disease. Many kids suffer from invisible illnesses and diseases. There could be numerous reasons why having a line of communication is important. Also, some kids are extremely bullied and suffer extreme anxiety and use their phones to communicate with mom or dad. The world has become increasingly deranged and I believe cells phones have become a necessity. Now I’m not opposed to strict rules regarding phone and privileges being revoked if necessary.
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Cellphones should stay out of the classroom, unless needed by the child for medical purposes. Such as diabetes monitoring.
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they should not be allowed during class, however should be permitted during spares or lunch break recess bus rides etc. If a family member or student has an emergency the school can be contacted or will contact the students parents guardians or emergency contacts.
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Cell phones should be banned from school in general.
School office have phones that can be used for emergency purposes and bring back old bell phones! -
Cell phone should leave at the front when entrr in classroom i dont agree to take away just incase of emergency cause i woukd want to call my kids so that said leave a basket or box when enter the classroom leave it there
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I think cellphones should not be fully banned in schools. They can distract students, but also help with learning and safety. A better way is to allow them only for study or emergencies, not during regular lessons.
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Yes the cell phones should be banned in the classrooms but they can always leave it in their lockers.
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Of course to be banned! Students should focus only on studying while at school. Without any distractions
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Cell phones should be banned at school. It leads to distractions in class. If there’s an emergency it can be dealt with via the office like back in the day. Life went on very normal then.
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I think it really depends. For example, the elementary school my daughter goes to is incredibly disorganized. If heaven forbid an emergency occurred, and I needed her to be ready for pickup by the time I rushed there, it wouldn’t happen, because no one answers the bloody phone in the office. One of their options is “in case of emergency, choose 0” and it goes to same office, where the phone goes largely ignored. I feel if a school admin staff can ignore their phone so freely, kids (who can use them responsibly) should be able to have a cellphone (that has monitoring and restrictions set up on it) while in class.
No games on them, just for access for parents to call in the event of an emergency. It’s not like the school board would ever provide a business phone to the teacher, and the teacher should not be expected to give their personal number to parents. -
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Cell phones should be banned in all schools. They are distracting and students say they learn better without them.
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I think that banning cell phones is not fair for students in middle and high schools. They are required to arrange rides home from school. They are also good for checking the city bus schedules to arrange rides home.
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I believe they should be limited to breaks and lunches. They shouldn’t be able to have them in class. We need to be able to do away from our devices for small periods of time.
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No i think they deserve technology. It should be use but wisely certain app could be banned in school tho…
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Yes. Even if it’s to learn, kids get distracted and start doing other things, they shouldn’t be doing on their phones and then they don’t learn.
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It is a question that will be discussed as long as cell phones are used ,all answers have their merits
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As a practicing teacher and can honestly say cellphones are a major distraction in my classroom. As much as most students turn them off when class starts there are still those who are constantly scrolling and/or texting when they need to be paying attention or working on school work. Further more if the phones aren’t off or muted they can interfere with the learning environment for others.
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Absolutely they should not be allowed in the school .. it increases the chances of cheating , cyber bullying, distractions in the classroom, but and yes there is a but because of unfortunately what has happened with violence in the past years I do believe there should be 1 emergency cellphone for each room if need be .
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Yes, I think cellphones should be banned from primary and high schools during class time. They can be very distracting and make it harder for students to focus and learn. Limiting phone use can help students pay more attention and interact better with teachers and classmates.
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The students are not matured enough to differentiate between good search and bad search at this age which may distract them from study during their important years of education and career. Hence I belive cellphones should be banned in highschools.
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September 2025
Yes, i believe cell phones should be banned in class room while the teacher is teaching, but cell phones should be accessible for in class work as need be. -
I think cell should be banned in school but allowed to bring in back packs for when school is done for the day in case they need to call me , mom in case of emergency
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I think they have a safety measures in place yes but no kids should not have phones in classroom but safe access to them of course in case of emergency
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Yes, they should be banned. It’s a big distraction. Students pay more attention on their cell phones than their studies.
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Yes they definately should as they are to much of an iterruption to their attention to teachers lessons and instructions on the lessons being taught!
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YES I STRONGLY AGREE! Cell phones should not be allowed in school hours !
School is for learning not being on your phone -
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I mean id agree to both options to an extent for each.while yes the students should be focused on learning and not distracting themselves with apps/social media.however in a rapidly evolving world of technology i can understand them using phones as a tool to expedite the task at hand. Similar to calculators,yes learned math without them so why where they ever allowed in class? Because the useful tool effectively expedited the process leading to faster results.so i guess it depends in my opinion
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Schools should ban them…ZERO to do with govt intervention. We DO NOT NEED more govt “rules” and nonsense.
Kids SHOULD NOT have ANY tech in schools at all….aside from computers for a computer class.
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