One month into the New Brunswick government’s in class cellphone ban, high school students are still finding ways to scroll. If you have a teenager in the provincial school system, you know how attached they are to their devices. Recent reports show students at Fredericton High School simply hide their phones and bypass network restrictions.
According to a report by CTV News, the new rules face significant enforcement challenges.
How Students Bypass the Rules
The province announced the ban on August 28. Kindergarten and junior high students face a full day ban. High school students face classroom bans for the first semester and a full day ban in the second semester. The government also restricted social media access on school WiFi networks. Students quickly found workarounds.
Grade 9 student Katie Borgald told CTV News that kids just turn off their WiFi and use their cellular data. Grade 10 student Sam Allavy noted that students use Virtual Private Networks to get around the blocks. Grade 11 student Michael LeBlanc said many students ignore the rules entirely and hide their phones during class.
Enforcement and Pushback
The policy looks strict on paper. In practice, enforcement falls short. Grade 10 student Owen Cooper said teachers fail to enforce the ban in the classroom. He also called the ban ridiculous and raised concerns about reaching family during an emergency. Other students feel the ban removes a vital tool for personal expression and learning. A petition to reverse the cellphone ban has already gathered over 2,500 signatures.
Security Experts Say Give It Time
Changing school culture takes time. David Shipley is the CEO and co founder of Beauceron Security. He believes the ban is a good start. Shipley compared the current situation to historical bans on high school campuses. He pointed out that when schools banned smoking, students still snuck off campus to smoke. He maintains the cellphone ban remains the right policy decision. Shipley added that the extreme effort students put into bypassing the rules proves exactly why the ban is necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the rules for the New Brunswick school cellphone ban?
Kindergarten and junior high students cannot use cellphones for the entire school day. High school students cannot use them in classrooms during the first semester. A full day ban for high schoolers begins in the second semester.
How are students getting around the school WiFi restrictions?
Students bypass social media blocks by turning off the school WiFi and using their own cellular data. Many also use Virtual Private Networks to mask their internet traffic.
Are teachers enforcing the cellphone ban?
Students report inconsistent enforcement. Many claim teachers do not actively stop students from hiding and using their phones during class.
In the Uk the Times reports on an app called “Blackout” which each student must download on their phone in order to bring it into the classroom. It allows for emergency phone calls and some apps needed for schoolwork such as a calendar or calculator. It must be turned on during school hours and the school and parents are notified if turned off. It increased student engagement , interaction an d improvement in academic schools in a trial . Perhaps NB schools should consider a similar approach ?