Quebec students begin second school year without cellphones

14-Sep-2026

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This school year marks the second since the Quebec government banned the use of cell phones in schools in 2025.

The first year of this initiative went “very well,” according to Richard Bergevin, president of the Fédération des syndicats de l’enseignement.

He notes that teachers are observing that students are more engaged in their learning and are socializing with one another more often. 

The researcher noted that this can be accompanied by difficulty managing anxiety among some students who were used to seeking refuge in their screens. The Oka report noted that nearly 40 per cent of girls cited difficulties with anxiety as a negative consequence of the cellphone ban, compared to about 20 per cent of boys.