Phones off, Minds on: Quebec’s 2025 school cellphone ban
By Greg Duncan
Local Journalism Initiative
If you are a student in Quebec in 2025, whether you are in kindergarten or cramming for calculus, your phone is locked away, silenced in a pouch, or tucked deep in your backpack. This school year marks the full rollout of Quebec’s province-wide cellphone ban in all public and private elementary and secondary schools. From the first bell to the last, phones are officially persona non grata on school property, including hallways, cafeterias, bathrooms, and even outdoor fields.
The goal, according to the Ministry of Education, is to restore focus, reduce distractions, and encourage face-to-face socialization. But as with any sweeping policy, the reality on the ground is far more nuanced, especially in the Eastern Townships, where rural bus rides stretch long, and students often rely on their devices for connection, safety, and sanity.
The law of the Land
In May 2025, Education Minister Bernard Drainville announced a regulation banning cellphone use during the entire school day in all elementary and secondary schools, public and private. The law prohibits devices not only in classrooms but also during breaks, lunch, and on school grounds, including libraries, hallways, and outdoor spaces.
The legislation followed recommendations from a cross-party committee studying screen time’s impact on youth. It found phones were a major source of distraction, social isolation, and classroom disruption. Exceptions exist for medical reasons (e.g., diabetes management), students with disabilities or learning challenges and educational use approved by staff.
Each school is responsible for enforcement, with options like locked pouches, mandatory locker storage, and progressive discipline, starting with verbal warnings and escalating to temporary confiscation or requiring students to leave devices at home.
The challenges
Let us be honest: enforcing a full-day ban on cellphones in 2025 is like asking a fish to stay dry. Students are tethered to their devices not just for entertainment, but for communication, organization, and even learning. The ban has sparked logistical headaches for teachers and administrators, especially in schools without enough lockers or secure storage options.
In the Townships, where students often travel long distances by bus, the ban has raised safety concerns. “Some of our kids are on the road for over an hour,” said one Eastern Townships School Board (ETSB) staffer. “They use their phones to check in with parents, listen to music, or decompress. Taking that away entirely feels like a step backward.”
And then there is the post-school screen surge. Teachers report that students, deprived of their devices all day, are logging marathon screen sessions once they get home. “It’s like a digital binge,” said one parent in Stanstead. “They’re glued to their phones from the moment they step off the bus until bedtime.”
Student reactions: Mixed signals
Student reactions have ranged from resigned acceptance to outright protest. In Montreal, students staged walkouts and posted TikTok videos criticizing the ban. “Our phones are a crucial part of our education,” said one student. “We use them to check assignments, communicate with teachers, and stay safe.” Others argue that the ban misses the mark. “It’s not the phones—it’s how we use them,” said a student from Rosemount High School. “Teachers did not grow up with this tech. We did. It is part of how we learn and socialize.”
In the Eastern Townships, reactions have been more subdued but no less conflicted. Some students appreciate the break from constant notifications. “It’s kind of peaceful,” said a Massey-Vanier student. “I actually talk to people more.” Others feel cut off. “I get anxious not knowing what’s going on,” said a student from Alexander Galt. “I just want to check my messages during lunch.”
Screen time after school: The rebound effect
Experts warn that the ban may inadvertently increase screen dependency outside school hours. A professor at Université Laval notes that students often compensate for lost screen time by doubling down after school. “The demand for digital stimulation doesn’t disappear, it just gets delayed,” she said. On school buses, especially in rural areas like the Townships, students are turning to their phones with renewed intensity. “It’s like a digital exhale,” said one bus driver. “They’ve been holding their breath all day.” Parents are also grappling with the fallout. Some report more arguments at home over screen limits, while others worry about the mental health impact of abrupt digital withdrawal. “We need to teach balance, not just ban,” said Katherine Korakakis of the English Parents’ Committee Association.
Where do we go from here?
The cellphone ban is a bold move, but it is not a silver bullet. It may reduce distractions in class, but it also risks alienating students who see their devices as lifelines. In the Eastern Townships, where geography and infrastructure pose unique challenges, a one-size-fits-all policy may need more tailoring.
What is clear is that the conversation around screens, learning, and youth well-being is far from over. As students adapt, educators and parents must do the same by modeling healthy tech habits, fostering open dialogue, and remembering that behind every screen is a kid trying to make sense of a rapidly changing world. Phones may be off during the day, but the debate is just getting going.
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