Quebec school cellphone ban has had positive impact, students and administrators say

By Canadian Press on December 24, 2025.

MONTREAL — Quebec’s expanded school cellphone ban is getting top marks from some students and administrators who say the measure has improved students’ concentration and social interactions.

Longueuil, Que., Grade 11 student Constance Boie told The Canadian Press that students now spend their breaks talking or playing games instead of staring at their phones.

Fellow student Shelby Miclette says she is fairly introverted and the ban on phones at school has pushed her to make new connections.

Quebec widened its cellphone ban this fall to prohibit students from using the devices on elementary or high school property for the entire school day, including during breaks and in hallways.

Cellphones had been banned during classroom time across Quebec since January 2024, with a few exceptions.

The principal of the Quebec City-area secondary school Séminaire St-François says the expanded ban has had major positive impacts on students’ social skills.

Jean-François Boisvert says some administrators are now questioning the choice to require students to use tablets in class, adding that his school will shift to laptops next year.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 24, 2025.

Stéphane Blais, The Canadian Press