Students in New Brunswick will have new limits on cellphones, screen time and social media when they head back to school in a few weeks. Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Claire Johnson made the announcement in Oromocto Friday morning. Phone rules Students from kindergarten to Grade 8 in the province will no longer be allowed to use their phones or other personal mobile devices during the school day. The same rules will take effect for students in Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 at the start of the second semester in February 2027. However, students in that group will be allowed to use their personal tablets and laptops for educational purposes. Screen time The province says screen time during class must be educational and tied to curriculum outcomes. Moving forward, screen time will be limited to 30 minutes or less at licensed child-care facilities. The screen time must also have: Children aged two and under won’t be allowed any screen time. Children attending licensed early learning and child-care centres won’t be allowed to use any personal mobile devices. Social media Social media sites will also be restricted on school networks and school devices beginning next month. Johnson says too much screen time and social media use negatively affects children and youth. “That’s why we’re taking action to reduce distractions, limit exposure to social media sites and support the well-being of students. By putting away phones and other personal mobile devices, students can focus on learning and building the foundational skills in literacy and numeracy,” she said. Johnson adds similar policies in Ontario and Quebec have been “praised” by students, teachers and parents. The upcoming changes in New Brunswick also incorporate recommendations of the province’s child and youth advocate. The CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association of New Brunswick welcomes the news. “Supporting children’s mental health requires more than reducing distractions,” said Christa Baldwin. “Young people need opportunities to disconnect, build relationships face to face, and fully engage in school and community life.” David Shipley studies how technology shapes human behaviour and is also the CEO of Fredericton-based Beauceron Security. He says there is a balance when it comes to using technology in the classroom. “Screen time limits in early learning protect brains at the age they’re most vulnerable. And blocking social media on school networks draws a simple line: products on trial for harming children don’t belong in our schools,” he said. More information on the policies, including on exemptions and consequences, is available on the government’s website. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
