A middle school in Canmore has banned students from using their smartphones during all school hours, including recess and lunch.

Lawrence Grassi Middle School implemented the new policy this school year. Students' digital devices and cellphones must stay inside lockers and backpacks, unless they're being used for learning in the classroom.

"We were finding that the use of cellphones … during breaks was interfering with students' learning. After, it's hard for them to focus," said principal Nadine Trottier in an interview with the Calgary Eyeopener.

Numerous studies have linked prolonged screen time and social media use to sleep deprivation, depression and even developmental lags in young children.

Lawrence Grassi's administration found that social media apps like Snapchat were negatively affecting student socialization.

"It was creating a culture where we would prefer that students interacted more and not be on their devices," Trottier said.

Principal Nadine Trottier says her school's new policy was inspired by a similar one piloted at Banff Elementary School and has been met with success so far. (Supplied by Nadine Trottier)

Parents, kids generally on board

The school surveyed staff, students and parents prior to implementing the change and found that the response was surprisingly supportive.

"We could sense a sense of relief in that some [students] admitted that they were addicted to their devices, and that having this policy would provide for them a safe space for them to not have their devices," Trottier said.

Still, some students conceded that they would try to conceal their smartphone use by going to the bathroom, for example.

"I mean, we can expect that in the teenage years," Trottier said.

Each student gets a warning the first time they're caught breaking the rules.

"Then the second time around, we ask for them to make arrangements with their parents to come after school and get their devices back," Trottier said.

Over the past 3½ weeks, the school has had to confiscate only six devices.

"I have to say that the success of this policy can be largely attributed to the support we're getting from our families, because it's evident that they're having these conversations at home to support us," she explained.

Not Luddites, school says

"I want to stress that we're obviously not against technology, as long as it's used as a learning tool," Trottier said.

Teachers at Grassi Middle School are encouraged to experiment with incorporating different learning applications in their lessons, and students in grades 7 and 8 are asked to bring their own laptops and tablets to class to help them with research and classwork, she said.

"We were observing that it was mainly the cellphones that were a distraction.

"If you have a laptop, the screen is bigger. Teachers can circulate and go around and make sure that students are on task."

With files from Danielle Nermand and the Calgary Eyeopener.