Alberta is moving to ban cellphones in kindergarten to Grade 12 classrooms starting in the fall.

Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said Monday that cellphones help with learning but can also be a distraction and lead to cyberbullying.

He said there will be exceptions for students who use phones for health needs, such as monitoring blood sugar levels.

Otherwise, personal devices must be turned off and stored out of sight during class time. School internet networks will also have to limit access to social media, Nicolaides said.

Alberta had allowed school boards to set a patchwork of cellphone rules amid mounting concern from teachers and parents that the devices were disrupting learning.

害羞草研究所淭he risks to students害羞草研究所� mental well-being and academic success are real, and we must take steps now to combat these effects,害羞草研究所� Nicolaides said.

Alberta follows the lead of Quebec, Ontario and B.C., where governments have announced or implemented cellphone restrictions in schools.

The Alberta government surveyed more than 68,000 parents, teachers, students and principals about cellphone use in schools. About 90 per cent said they were concerned, and it should be limited.

How the new rules are implemented and enforced will be up to school boards, Nicolaides said, but those policies will need to fall in line with provincial standards.

害羞草研究所淧arents and guardians should stay tuned to their local school authority over the coming months for more details,害羞草研究所� he said.

In May, members of the Alberta Teachers害羞草研究所� Association voted in support of restricting smartphones in classrooms during instructional time.

The teachers害羞草研究所� association, the College of Alberta School Superintendents and the Alberta School Councils害羞草研究所� Association welcomed Monday害羞草研究所檚 announcement.

害羞草研究所淪tandards for mobile device use during instructional time, which acknowledge exceptions and school authority autonomy, will ensure a focus on learning,害羞草研究所� Kerry Bodell, president of the Alberta School Councils害羞草研究所� Association, said in a release.

Andrea Holowka, president of the College of Alberta School Superintendents, said, 害羞草研究所渞especting the flexibility of school authorities to meet the unique learning needs of students within a regulatory framework is practical and greatly appreciated.害羞草研究所�

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