As a parent living in Toronto, ON, Canada, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges that the Chromebook program has introduced into our school system. My son, who is in middle school, becomes extremely distracted when using his Chromebook, and with all lessons and assignments now hosted on this device, monitoring his usage has become increasingly difficult.

The Toronto District School Board's/Toronto Catholic District School Board's Chromebook program was initially introduced with the intention of enhancing learning by integrating technology into classrooms, and keeping up to date with the most relevant curriculum. However, the lack of transparency surrounding the program, including its overall costs, specific goals, objectives, and metrics for evaluating success, is concerning. Moreover, informal qualitative feedback from teachers and parents indicates that the program has not only been disruptive to classroom learning but also poses significant challenges for assignments (such as doing math homework online). The allure of non-educational content, such as YouTube and online games, proves to be extremely distracting to students, particularly those with existing learning difficulties or Individual Education Plans (IEPs).

Without clear objectives and an understanding of how success is measured, it is difficult to ascertain the actual impact of this technology on our children's education. Dr. Jonathan Haidt and other anti-tech activists have published extensive literature on the harms of TechEd, including its impact on learning outcomes, mental health, and classroom engagement.

Therefore, I urge both the Toronto Public/Catholic District School Boards to evaluate the Chromebook program, analyzing the program's costs, its intended and achieved goals, and the methods used to measure success. Gathering feedback from educators and parents, who regularly observe the effects of this program in action, will help better understand the qualitative impact it has had on the educational environment. This evaluation will help ensure that taxpayer funds are spent wisely, and more importantly, that our children are receiving the highest quality education possible. This is a crucial step in holding educational institutions accountable for their decisions and ensuring that any programs implemented truly serve the best interests of students. 

Sign this petition to urge the Toronto Public/Catholic District School Boards to prioritize transparency and accountability by conducting a full evaluation of the Chromebook program. Together, we can make a difference in our children's educational experience.

References:

The Screentime Consultant | Unplug EdTech Toolkit

The Anxious Generation | Jonathan Haidt

The Four Norms of EdTech: Four Norms of EdTech 6.13.2025