William Dale – Local Journalism Initiative
Published online October 7, 2026, at www.pontiacjournal.com
MRC PONTIAC – For years, a walk through a local high school cafeteria or common area at lunch hour offered a familiar sight: rows of students sitting side-by-side in total silence, heads tilted downward, “lost in the blue light of their smartphone screens. Meanwhile, the school library remained a predictable sanctuary, mostly reserved for those seeking a quiet space to themselves.
But, last year, a province-wide wave of cellphone restrictions has fundamentally altered the ambient noise of the hallway. Across Canada, education ministries are wrapping up the first full year of strict device bans, reporting massive spikes in library traffic and a major shift in student behavior.
Stripped of their devices during breaks, students are spilling out of their usual spots and flocking to library spaces to read books, study, play board games, or just a new hotspot to socialize. To see how this policy is playing out on the ground locally, The Pontiac Journal caught up with administrators, teachers, and library staff at several regional high schools to see if the hype matches reality.
Adapting the space for new crowd
At Dr. Wilbert Keon School (DWKS) in Chapeau, the library is undergoing its own physical and philosophical transformation to adapt to a changing student body. Having recently
survived tight quarters due to an elevator installation project, the library has
finally settling back into its newly renovated, expanded, and user-friendly space.
Lori, a retired teacher and library volunteer at DWKS, explained that the school is introducing “Reading Buddies” initiatives, where older high school students mentor and read with younger elementary children in both English and French. To complement standard book checkouts, the space is being packed with tactile, hands-on activities like board games, puzzles, and a crafts program called “Art Hive” to capture the attention of kids.
Reclaimed focus and long-term benefits
At Pontiac High School (PHS), Principal Luke McLaren noted that early on in the ban, students in the common areas and the Grade 11 lounge began spontaneously organizing board games among themselves without any teacher direction. McLaren also highlighted feedback from a local parent who noticed their child was coming home significantly more engaged, talkative, and eager to share what they had been up to during the school day compared to last year.
Principal McLaren applauds the government for tackling the issue,
noting that while small changes are visible right now, the broad-picture
benefits of the policy will be felt for years to come.
While school boards, teachers, and students continue to adapt to a phone-free environment, the early returns in the Pontiac point toward a refreshing conclusion: when you take away the screens, teenagers will gladly find a spot in the library to rediscover the art of board games, turning pages, and talking to their friends.