At Canadian Academy, we are committed to fostering meaningful learning, personal growth, and student well-being. Central to this mission is our intentional approach to technology—balancing innovation with mindfulness. While we embrace tools like coding programs from as early as KB, 3D printers and AI, we also emphasize using technology thoughtfully and purposefully. It’s not about having unlimited access to tech tools or about doom scrolling; it’s about building healthy, balanced habits that help students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Five months ago, we introduced the Away for the Day initiative for our Secondary School students, a policy requiring students to keep their smartphones, smartwatches, and other portable electronic devices (not covered by our BYOD policy) in locked pouches during the school day. While this policy was initially met with annoyance by some students, the impact it has made on SS students, staff and parents has been powerfully positive.
Why Was the Approach Initiated?
Research consistently highlights the negative effects of constant phone usage on students’ (and on all individuals!) attention, mental health, and social development. Studies from Away for the Day show that schools with phone-free policies report significant improvements in focus, engagement, and peer interactions. For example:
- Improved Mental Health: The Journal of Adolescence reports that reduced screen time correlates with lower anxiety and depression levels among teens.
- Enhanced Social Skills: Limiting phone use encourages face-to-face interactions, strengthening communication and relationships.
- Increased Academic Performance: A study in Educational Psychology found that restricting smartphone access led to a 6.4% increase in test scores.
During Patrick Green’s workshops that we held in October, on screen time and digital distractions, students, parents and staff alike were reminded of how phones can disrupt focus and hinder meaningful connections. These sessions reinforced the need for intentional tech habits, which is why we’ve also introduced AI policies to students and are rolling them out to staff. Our goal is to be an ethical institution that prioritizes the well-being of our community while preparing students for a tech-driven world.
When the Away for the Day approach was first introduced, some students met it with apprehension. To address their concerns, we invited them to share their thoughts on post-it notes, creating an open dialogue about the policy’s purpose and benefits. This process helped students feel heard and understood, and it reinforced our commitment to their well-being. Some students saw the approach as a breath of fresh air, especially after sharing these concerns:
- "I’m happy about talking to my friends more because it’s distracting when there’s a phone and we can’t focus on the conversation."
- "I’m happy about the phones away policy because I feel like ever since I got a phone I’ve lost my curiosity and imagination. I’m also glad because my phone is a huge distraction from studying."
- "I won’t be one of the only people without a phone and have to watch everyone else. I won't be excluded."
- "I have less stress over photos taken without my consent. If people had phones I would constantly be worried about my privacy."
- "At lunch, more people go outside to play football instead of looking at their phones."
- "I feel pretty happy about this policy. Because my attention is really easy to be distracted having my phone at school/home always makes me lazy and I can’t do anything with my phone on." (sic)
Positive Impact on Our Community
Since implementing this policy, we’ve seen remarkable changes in our school culture:
- Increased Engagement: Students are more focused during lessons and actively participate in class discussions.
- Stronger Social Connections: Lunch breaks are livelier, with more students playing sports or chatting face-to-face instead of scrolling on their phones.
- Improved Well-Being: Students report feeling less distracted and more present in their daily interactions.
And it’s not only students who are witnessing a difference. We have had parents approach us, thanking us for implementing the policy, as well as Leaders from other schools contacting us about how to implement it in their schools. This is just some of the feedback we received from our staff at CA:
- “I no longer spend the first few minutes of class asking students to put their phones away.”
- “It’s refreshing to see students engaging so authentically with each other during breaks.”
- "There was a student performance at school and no one was recording it on their phone. The performers were free to just perform without worrying about if the video would end up on social media or in a group chat."
- “The policy has made me reflect on my own phone use, and I’ve started using my phone less often.”
Jen Clark, our Head of Educational Technology, said "At CA I think that we were really lucky to be in a position to make this decision proactively and preventatively instead of reactively. So many school leaders that I've spoken with have changed their approach to smartphones after an incident involving phones that created a lot of harm and heartbreak in the community. I'm glad that our decision came as a result of thoughtful and intentional discernment about the risks and rewards that phones present at school instead of a panicked response to misuse. I love seeing parents, teachers, and students work together as a team to think critically about the role that technology plays in our lives."
Fostering a Balanced Digital Relationship
At CA, we don’t view technology as inherently good or bad—it’s about how we use it. Our goal is to help students develop a healthy, intentional relationship with technology. By reducing digital distractions, we’ve created an environment where students can focus on what truly matters: learning, connecting, and thriving.
We’re grateful for the support of our CA community. Together, we’re building a community that prioritizes student well-being. From our AI policies to our commitment to social balance and safety, every decision we make is guided by what’s best for our students.
Click here to learn more about CA’s Away for the Day Approach
If you have any questions, please reach out to Jen clark at jclark@canacad.ac.jp