The Ministry of Education announced changes to the Provincial Code of Conduct which must be implemented by all Ontario school boards as of Sept. 1, 2024. The changes are outlined in Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) 128 and include restrictions on personal mobile device use during instructional time and restricted social media access on school networks.
Understanding that these changes will be new to everyone, we would like to provide some important information to parents/guardians as to what to expect in the upcoming school year.
Definition
A Personal Mobile Device is a device that is both portable and capable of collecting, storing, transmitting or processing electronic data or images. Examples include laptops, tablet PCs, personal digital assistants (PDAs), smart watches and “smart” phones. This definition also includes storage media, such as USB hard drives or memory sticks, SD or Compact Flash cards, and any peripherals connected to the device.
What’s New?
All members of the school community must not use personal mobile devices during instructional time except under the following circumstances:
- for educational purposes, as directed by an educator
- for health and medical purposes
- to support special education needs
Kindergarten to Grade 6
Students in Kindergarten to Grade 6 are expected to store their personal mobile device(s) out of view and powered off or set to silent mode throughout the entire instructional day. That includes recess and lunch times.
If an educator sees a personal mobile device that is not stored out of view, they will ask the student to hand in the device for the instructional day and the student will be asked to place the device in a storage area in a location designated by the principal.
Grade 7 to Grade 12
Students in Grade 7 to Grade 12 are expected to store their personal mobile device(s) out of view and powered off or set to silent mode throughout the entire instructional period, unless explicitly permitted by a teacher.
If during instructional time an educator sees a personal mobile device that is not stored out of view, they will ask the student to hand in the device for the instructional period and the student will have to place the device in a storage area in the classroom designated by the educator.
Social Media
The Board’s firewall blocks all social media apps and websites accessed through the school network for students.
Board Administrative Procedure 313 – Student Acceptable Use of Technology prohibits use of any social media platform at school.
School Plans
Each school will develop its own school-specific Personal Mobile Device plan and communicate those details with families in early September.
Frequently Asked Questions – Ministry of Education PPM 128
What if I need to get in touch with my child during instruction hours?
If you need to speak to your child during the day you can reach your child through the school office.
What is the definition of social media in the context of this PPM?
Social media is generally defined as interactive technologies including websites, platforms and applications that facilitate and enable users to create, share, and interact with content, and to connect and communicate with other users or publicly. Examples of social media platforms and apps include Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Discord, and similar services that facilitate social interaction and content creation and sharing.
Are blogs or any kind of commenting software going to be considered social media?
The Provincial Code of Conduct requires boards to restrict access to all social media platforms and apps on school networks and school devices. Blogs are different from social media and are not included in the restrictions. However, as a best practice school boards should still apply due diligence on what is allowed and not allowed on its school networks and devices.
Are staff included in the social media restrictions outlined in PPM 128?
Social media platforms are to be restricted on school board networks and board provided devices as a general rule. The ministry understands that some social media platforms may be used in a targeted way for specific learning or operational purposes. School boards can determine exception protocols for the use of social media for pedagogical or work-related purposes.
Are smartwatches included as part of the restrictions?
PPM 128 defines a personal mobile device as any personal electronic device that can be used to communicate or to access the Internet, such as a cellphone, tablet, laptop or smartwatch.
All members of the school community must not use personal mobile devices during instructional time except under the following circumstances:
- for educational purposes, as directed by an educator
- for health and medical purposes
- to support special education needs
Will Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) or guest networks be fully blocked?
BYOD and guest networks must comply with the requirements of PPM 128, including restrictions on social media. Exceptions as stipulated in the PPM also apply to BYOD and guest networks.
How do educators plan to integrate social media platforms into classroom activities while adhering to the policy’s guidelines for educational use only?
Social media platforms can only be accessed by students on school networks and devices for educational purposes, as directed by an educator. The educator would oversee the use of the platform in the classroom, providing the necessary oversight, guidance, and direction for how the platform would be used for educational purposes. As set out in the PPM, school boards can determine exception protocols for the use of social media for pedagogical purposes.
Will school board and school communication with parents, guardians and the public be allowed through social media? Will this exception be permitted?
Yes, school board and school communication with parents, guardians and the public through social media is allowed. PPM 128 states that school boards can determine exception protocols for the use of social media for pedagogical or work-related purposes. This can include exception protocols for the purpose of school boards and schools communicating with parents, guardians, the school community and public through social media.