Alberta to Ban Cellphones in K-12 Classrooms Starting in Fall

Alberta is moving to ban cellphones in kindergarten to Grade 12 classrooms starting in the fall. Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said on June 17 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, Mr. 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....