As New Brunswick moves to tighten cellphone rules in classrooms, a new survey finds a majority of people agree with it.
Polling by Narrative Research found that 83 per cent of New Brunswickers support a cellphone ban in classrooms.
That is slightly lower than the Atlantic Canadian average of 86 per cent, according to the survey.
When asked why, the prevailing reason is to remove a distraction in the learning environment, followed by mentions that a ban would encourage students to focus on their studies.
Other reasons cited include that cellphones serve no purpose in classrooms or that they are overused and an addiction risk.
Among the 13 per cent who oppose a ban, the most common reasons are that cellphones are useful in case of emergencies, that only usage abuse should be penalized instead of a blanket ban and that cellphones are great educational or research tools.
Results are from an online survey conducted between Aug. 8 and 21. As a non-probability sample, a margin of error is not applied.
Tighter rules surrounding cellphone use in New Brunswick schools will take effect next week.
During class time, students will have to place their phones in a designated area on silent. Cellphone use will be allowed, at the teachers’ discretion, for educational reasons.
Students who use their phones for medical reasons will still be able to keep them on hand.
The updated policy also outlines examples of actions that could lead to student discipline.
