Stratford Police Constable Darren Fischer says new controls on cell phone use in Ontario classrooms are a great idea.
Fischer is part of the Community Resource Unit with Stratford Police and is a high school resource officer working with students.
Fischer says ongoing issues and stressors that youth are facing include a constant connection to social media and the pressure to be engaged at all times.
Starting in September, students in Grades 7 to 12 will have to put their cell phones on silent and put them away during class time and Fischer says it will also help cut down on in-class mobile bullying.
“It also affects their mental health and their well-being overall, by not having that time away and not having any kind of escape it just continues to build.”
As part of the changes, access to all social media platforms will also be blocked on school networks and devices.
