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Manitoba's School Cellphone Ban: What Schools Need to Know in 2026
Yes. Since September 2024, Manitoba bans cellphones for K-8 students for the whole school day, including breaks and lunch. Grade 9-12 students cannot use phones in class but may use them at breaks and lunch.
The provincial rule, announced on 15 August 2024, bans cellphones for K-8 students during all school hours, including lunch and breaks. Grade 9-12 students may not use phones during class time unless a teacher directs it for learning. Medical needs and diverse learning needs are accommodated. Divisions apply it through their technology use policies under the Public Schools Act.
Some divisions had their own bans before the province acted. The government brought in the province-wide rule for September 2024, citing research that a distracted child can take up to 20 minutes to refocus. It followed similar moves in other provinces. No change to the grade split was found for 2025-26 or 2026-27.
Divisions choose the method. Winnipeg School Division asks K-8 students to leave phones at home, in lockers or in a set area, and Grades 9-12 to keep them in bags out of sight. It also bought 1,600 school devices. Pembina Trails extended the rule to smartwatches and e-readers. Western School Division sends non-compliance to the office to resolve with families.
Whatever Manitoba's rule 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 Manitoba, 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 Manitoba's ban cover lunch and recess?
For K-8, yes, phones are banned for the whole school day. For Grades 9-12, the ban covers class time only.
Are there exemptions?
Yes. Students with medical needs or diverse learning needs are accommodated, and high school teachers can direct phone use for learning.
Can Manitoba schools use phone pouches?
Yes. The province leaves storage to divisions, which already use lockers, bags and phone collection areas, so pouches fit within the rule.
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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