- Support for the ban is high across regions and demographics.
HALIFAX, August 28, 2024:
The presence of cellphones in classrooms has often been cited as problematic in recent years. Across Canada, limitations on cellphones within schools have been introduced, including a ban on their use within the classroom. Last December, Quebec introduced a regulation stating that all schools in the province must have a policy restricting the use of phones during class. This April, Ontario implemented a province-wide plan for students grades K-12, with restrictions differing slightly by grade. Here in Atlantic Canada, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island have announced that new rules are coming into effect this Fall.
Support for banning cellphones in the classroom is widespread among Atlantic Canadians, according to the latest survey by Narrative Research. Close to nine in ten Atlantic Canadians (86%) express support for a classroom ban, with a majority saying they completely support it. Just one in ten express any opposition to the idea.
Notably, the level of support is similar across all Atlantic provinces. Interestingly, those with children in school are no more likely to support a ban than those without children in school. While there is strong support for a ban in classrooms across age groups, support for the concept increases with age (75% of those 18-34 years; 84% of those 35-54 years; 92% of those 55+).
When asked why they support a cellphone ban in classrooms, the prevailing reason is to remove a distraction in the learning environment, followed by mentions that a ban would encourage students to focus on their studies. Other reasons cited for supporting a cellphone ban in the classroom include that cellphones serve no purpose in classrooms or that they are overused and an addiction risk.
Among the limited number who would oppose a ban, the most common reasons for opposition are that cellphones are useful in case of emergencies, that only usage abuse should be penalized instead of a blanket ban, cellphones are great educational or research tools, or that cellphones are an important aspect of the current times.
Results are from an online survey conducted between August 8 and 21, 2024, with 1,327 Atlantic Canadians aged 18 years or older. Results were weighted based on the 2021 Census by gender, age and region to reflect actual population distribution. As a non-probability sample (i.e., a panel sample where residents have joined a panel to share their opinions), a margin of error is not applied.
Narrative Research www.narrativeresearch.ca, is non-partisan and is one of Canada’s leading public opinion and market research companies. Narrative Research is 100% Canadian-owned and a certified women business enterprise (WBE). Follow us on LinkedIn or at narrativeresearch.ca/news.
For more information, please contact:
Margaret Brigley, CEO & Partner, Narrative Research at 902.493-3830, mbrigley@narrativeresearch.ca
