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British Columbia's School Cellphone Ban: What Schools Need to Know in 2026
Partly. Since the 2024-25 school year, every B.C. public school board must restrict students' personal digital devices at school, including during instruction, under Ministerial Order M89/24. Each district sets its own rules, and many elementary schools keep phones away all day.
The rule sits in the Provincial Standards for Codes of Conduct Order, amended by Ministerial Order M89/24 with effect from 1 July 2024. Boards must include statements in their codes of conduct restricting personal digital devices at school, including during hours of instruction. The order covers public boards, K-12. Codes must address accessibility, medical and health needs, and allow age-appropriate instructional use.
The province announced the mandate in January 2024. The order was made in April 2024, and a deputy minister letter asked all 60 districts to send updated codes of conduct by 15 August 2024. Restrictions applied from the first day of 2024-25. The ministry page was last refreshed in December 2025 with no change to the core requirement, so the rule for 2026-27 is unchanged.
Because districts write their own rules, practice varies. Greater Victoria (SD61) requires devices to be stored out of sight and on silent or airplane mode, with elementary and middle students keeping them stored through breaks too. CBC reported many elementary schools going bell to bell while secondaries restrict class time only, using lockers or teacher desks. Teachers' unions raised concerns about workload and conflict.
Whatever B.C.'s order requires, lockable pouches let students keep their own phone, locked, from the first bell to the last, so the school does not collect, store or answer for devices. Before The Internet ships lockable pouches and unlocking bases from Toronto to schools across Canada, including in British Columbia, and can print the school's crest on them. Schools buy them outright: one price, no subscription, lease or per-student annual licence. Send us your student numbers and any written quote you have, and we will beat it.
Frequently asked questions
Does the B.C. ban cover recess and lunch?
The provincial order requires restrictions at school, including during instruction, but leaves the detail to each district. Many elementary schools restrict phones all day, while most secondary schools allow use at breaks.
Are there exemptions for medical or accessibility needs?
Yes. Codes of conduct must address accessibility, equity and accommodations, including medical and health needs. Teachers can also allow devices for planned instruction.
Can B.C. schools use lockable phone pouches?
Yes. The order does not prescribe a storage method, so districts and schools can choose lockers, collection, bags or pouches, as long as it fits their code of conduct.
Related reading
School cellphone bans in Canada · Phone-free schools toolkit · Bell-to-bell school phone policy template
Written by the team at Before The Internet, a Toronto-based phone-free company that rents lockable phone pouches for events across North America and sells them to schools and venues worldwide, shipping purchases to any country.
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