Ontario reviews cellphone restrictions and social media policies for students
Provincial governments across Canada are considering stricter rules regarding youth on social media, AI chatbots, and cellphone usage in schools due to rising concerns about their effects on young people.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew’s government recently revealed plans to prohibit children from using social media accounts and AI chatbots, starting in classrooms. While the specifics remain vague, this initiative seems to have backing from various other governments.
Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra mentioned on Tuesday that he is exploring not just a social media ban but also an almost complete ban on cellphones in schools.
“I think the evidence is becoming more and more clear that cellphone use in our schools, elementary and our secondary schools, anywhere on site, has become a problem, so we are considering an outright ban of cellphones on school properties across the province of Ontario,” Calandra said, adding there would be medical exemptions.
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Ontario will collaborate closely with the federal government regarding a social media ban for kids under a certain age, he stated.
“I think most ministers of education are in agreement that it’s not healthy for our kids in our schools to have access,” Calandra said.
British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma pointed out Tuesday that a mass shooting at a school in Tumbler Ridge earlier this year provided a tragic example of dangers linked with chatbots since the shooter had concerning interactions with Chat GPT before the incident.
Parents worldwide have recognized harms stemming from social media as well, she noted.
“We also have sexploitation leading to suicide,” Sharma said.
“We have (a) rise in eating disorders and anxiety. Clearly, self regulation is not working. We can’t have these companies that control a lot of the wealth in the world also deciding what’s safe or unsafe for our children and our vulnerable people in our society. That’s government’s job to step in and set a standard to make sure that people are safe.”
In December, Australia became the first country to create a law enforcing age limits on social media accounts while introducing fines for non-compliant companies.
Federal Culture Minister Marc Miller has indicated that the government is seriously contemplating similar legislation.
The federal government is best positioned to implement such a ban according to Sharma’s comments on Tuesday; however if it doesn’t act promptly, B. C. is ready to move forward independently or potentially join an “alliance” among provinces taking action together.
This report by The Canadian Press was first April 28, 2026.
– with files from Wolfgang Depner in Victoria.
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