Personal Mobile Use - Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the new guidelines being implemented?
Alberta Education has released a Ministerial Order Ministerial Order (#014/2024) – Standards for the Use of Personal Mobile Devices and Social Media in Schools To address this, each school has developed site specific Personal Mobile Device, Social Media and Wi-Fi Guidelines; it is important for parents to review this document. Please visit your child's school website to access this document.
When do the new guidelines come into effect?
Sept 1, 2024
What is a summary of the new guidelines?
Personal Mobile Devices are defined as any personal electronic device that can be used to communicate with or access the internet, such as a cellphone, tablet, laptop, smartwatch or gaming device.
Learning Devices are Chromebooks, laptops and tablets that are used for educational purposes. Teachers will indicate if there are specific learning situations that support cellphone, smartphone, smart watch and headphone use.
Social Media is defined as internet-based and mobile technologies providing communications through interactive or social dialogue. Examples include but are not limited to: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok, WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. All social media sites will be blocked on the BYOD Wi-Fi network and on school learning devices.
Student/Guest access to Wi-Fi | Schools will not allow students or guests to have open access to Wi-Fi. MHPSD Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Wi-Fi access will only be provided for registered learning devices (such as laptops, Chromebooks and tablets). Cellphones, smart phones and smart watches will not be allowed to access to the BYOD Wi-Fi network, except for medical or specialized learning needs. Parents are advised to review these changes with their children to avoid data charges on their cell phones.
General Guidelines
- Students are strongly encouraged to keep their cellphones and smartphones at home. If students choose to bring their mobile devices to school, staff are not responsible for loss, theft or damage.
- Cellphones, smartphones and headphones/ear buds will be off limits during instruction; they will be kept on silent and out of sight (stored in school approved locations, such as a backpack, locker or other).
- Teachers will indicate if there are specific learning situations that support cellphone, smartphone, smartwatch and headphone use.
- SmartWatch notifications are turned off during instruction.
- Personal mobile devices are kept on silent and out of sight in washrooms, change rooms, dressing rooms or locker rooms.
- Learning devices will be permitted for educational purposes at the teacher’s discretion. Learning devices can be registered to the BYOD Wi-Fi network.
- Cellphones, smart phones and smart watches will not be allowed to access to the BYOD Wi-Fi network, except for medical or specialized learning needs.
- Social media sites will be off limits on the BYOD Wi-Fi network and on school learning devices.
What is considered instructional time?
All structured class periods are considered to be instructional time, unless otherwise stated by the classroom teacher.
Can my child bring their cellphone/smartphone to school?
Students are strongly encouraged to keep cellphones and smartphones at home. If students choose to bring their cellphones and smartphones to school, staff are not responsible for loss, theft or damage. Cellphones and smartphones need to be stored out of sight during instructional time in school approved locations, such as a backpack, bag, locker or other.
My child has a job and a vehicle, I can't ask them to leave their cellphones at home.
Agreed. A cellphone is an important tool and we understand that students may need to have their devices at school. We simply request that students follow the school guidelines.
Can my child wear their smartwatch during instructional time?
Yes, however the notifications need to be turned off.
Will students be able to access social media on the school Wi-Fi network?
No. Social media sites will be off limits on the BYOD Wi-Fi network and on school learning devices. If a student chooses to engage on social media during the school day, they will have to do so using data.
Can students use their personal mobile devices during lunch or breaks?
Please refer to the school for specific information.
Can students use their personal mobile devices during emergencies?
We prefer that student do not use their phones during emergencies as it can create unnecessary safety risks, distractions and lead to the spread of misinformation.
Are students able to access Wi-Fi at school for their cellphones?
No, schools will not allow students or guests to have open access to Wi-Fi. Cellphones, smartphones and smart watches will not be allowed to access to the BYOD Wi-Fi network, except for medical or specialized learning needs. Families are advised to review these changes with their children to avoid unwanted data charges.
Will my child be able to connect their learning device (laptop, tablet or Chromebook) to Wi-Fi for educational purposes?
Yes. MHPSD Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Wi-Fi access will only be provided for registered learning devices (such as laptops, Chromebooks and tablets). Staff will support students to register their learning devices at school.
How can I register my child's learning device on Wi-Fi?
Students are asked to bring their learning device to school (fully charged) and staff will help students to get them registered on the Wi-Fi network.
Will there be opportunities for students to use their phones for educational purposes?
Teachers will indicate if there are specific learning situations that support cellphone, smartwatch and headphone use.
Will guests have access to Wi-Fi at the school?
No, we will not offer public access to Wi-Fi
How can I help my child follow the guidelines?
Consider leaving cell phones and smartphone at home. Make sure your child has important phone numbers memorized or on their person for making calls on a school landline.
How will the school respond of the guidelines aren’t followed?
We believe in implementing these guidelines with care and compassion. We will work with students to develop healthy and responsible habits and ensure that technology enhances, rather than hinders, their educational experience. Please refer to the school for specific information about consequences for students who do not follow the guidelines.
Can I contact my child during the school day?
A landline will be available in the office for student use. Parents can call the school to leave a message and it will be delivered to their child. There is also a landline available in the office so students can make brief calls.
Isn’t it better to teach kids to use phones responsibly rather than take them away?
Brain science research and expert psychiatrists say the adolescent brain is not able to manage the addictive pull of cell phones and social media. The social media platforms and games that young people spend much time on were deliberately designed to be addictive. Additionally, part of teaching responsible use is creating cell phone free spaces to help students understand that phones are a tool to be used at specific times in specific ways, rather than being something that is on and used 24/7.
Do some students benefit from having social media?
Even for students who use social media for connection and activism, it is still a distraction during school hours. As a school community, we work hard to foster a culture of inclusion. Our goal is to limit use during the school day to minimize disruption and mitigate the potential harms of social media dependency.
What if my child has an Individual Support Plan (ISP)?
It is extremely rare for a cell phone to be required for an ISP. But if the situation does arise, documentation is required and the exception will be allowed to meet the specific need and then stored out of sight.