Learn about student cell phone use in Yukon schools

In the Yukon, each school makes its own guidelines about students’ use of cell phones or other personal electronic devices. These rules are usually made at the school level with involvement of a school board or a school council. The Department of Education does not have a policy that applies to all schools.

You can check on your school's website to find the current guidelines about cell phones and other personal electronic devices. Some schools include this information in their handbooks. You can ask your principal or teacher if your child's school has a devices policy and request a copy of these rules. For technical and security reasons, students cannot use the school's wi-fi on personal devices. 

Each year, the Department of Education gives students technology use guidelines, that students must agree to. 

School-owned technology use guidelines

At the beginning of the school year, we provide parents with information on how we expect their child to use school-owned technology. The guidelines are sent home at the start of each school year and are suited for the student's grade level. 

You will receive the technology use guidelines for:

  • kindergarten to grade 3; or
  • grades 4 to 12.

We encourage parents and students to read and agree to these guidelines together. By following these guidelines, students can stay safe while using internet-connected electronic devices for learning at school. 

Online safety and digital literacy

We teach students about how to keep themselves safe online. Community partners are also welcomed into classrooms to share their knowledge with students. 

Curriculum

From kindergarten to grade 9, teachers talk to students about online safety as part of the Applied Design, Skills and Technologies curriculum.

For older students in grades 10 to 12, there are classes that teach students about digital citizenship and being responsible and ethical while online.

Community partners 

We work with external programs and organizations to support students' well-being and teach about online safety.

We invite experts, such as those from the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Board or the local RCMP detachment, to speak to students about online safety and cyberbullying.

Families

We encourage families to get involved in conversations with kids about online safety. Our efforts to keep students safe online work best when families continue these conversations with their children at home.

Parents can find helpful information and resources on how to have these conversations and how they can help protect their kids on websites like:

On these websites, you can find information about:

  • what to do if something bad happens online; and
  • how to submit reports of concerns through an online reporting tool.