Should We BAN Smartphones in Schools?

Does your family have rules for phones and tablets? Does your kid's school (or even your own workplace) try to cut back on distraction by limiting access to tech?

As Ontario and Quebec take the lead on banning phones in class, and Alberta looks to do the same, we get three different perspectives on tech literacy and brain and social development from Wyatt Sharpe, Gillian Essien, and Alison Service.

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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

[laurasq]

In middle school my teacher came to the smoke pit and picked me up and carried me to the gym to participate in a school activity. That was my favorite teacher he even became the head of the school board at one time.

[Dee-JayW]

No. Banning leads to many other issues. They need to think outside the box and figure out how to incorporate this technology into the classroom.

[carlyatkinson]

Smart idea. If an emergency call the school.

[matti]

I bet the teachers dislike being fact checked by students with internet

[vampfashions]

Hey, I kinda like this kid. I also knew "almost everything" when I was in grade 9, and by grade 11 I had virtually mastered all of knowledge, and had even filled in major gaps that the early people hadn't been able to work out. It amazes me as I find myself hurtling headlong toward the great rest stop in the sky, exactly how much I have forgotten from my time as "knower of all". I still tend to think I possess knowledge on many subjects, but in those areas where I have really studied, it astonishes how little I have learned from such narrow and small subjects. It scares me how little we know of the vast (is infinite still a thing?) tree called knowledge, even after lifetime's of dedicated study. And yet, everyday I meet 30 subject matter experts willing to spout the "correct" version of whatever wikiped is spouting.

[brianlabelle]

Phones should be put away at the beginning of class. Kids can have them back during recesses and breaks, or if given independent time at the end of class for completing work early. Simple.

[murraytown]

This is a no brainer. I went all through school in the ‘70s with no phone…and survive.

Maybe this kid should be doing his interviews outside of class time. You are there to learn, not run a news service.

[matti]

Considering the only thing kids are learning in schools is climate hysteria and gender ideology… no wonder they need a distraction !

[MAitken]

If this is a new show format I’m not sticking around.