Ontario has announced a set of strict measures that will be taken against the use of mobile phones and vaping in schools.

The new rules will take effect in the 2024-2025 school year.

Starting in September, students from kindergarten to sixth grade will be required to keep their phones on silent and out of sight throughout the day, unless permitted by the teacher.

Students in grades seven through twelve will have greater flexibility, as mobile phones will only be banned during class time.

If a student violates the rules, their mobile phone must be immediately handed over to a staff member, and parents will be notified.

As part of the new policy, social media will be banned from all school networks and devices, and the government will also prohibit sharing and recording videos or photos of individuals without explicit consent, although it is unclear how this will be monitored or enforced.

In a press conference, Education Minister Stephen Lecce told reporters that teachers' judgment will be respected regarding when and how technology will be used in the classroom.

Teachers will also be required to include comments on students' levels of distraction in class within report cards.