They love them for talking and texting – but cellphones are already such a distraction that they should not be used as educational tools, says a new survey of Ontario high school students.

The surprising result is part of the first-ever survey of teens by the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association, to be officially released today.

“Students use (cellphones) to text or communicate with friends. It’s a great communication tool, not necessarily an educational tool,” said Zane Schwartz, a student trustee with the Toronto District School Board who is in Grade 12 at Leaside High School.

Survey results
    Time Do you feel you would benefit academically from a daily start time of 10 a.m. or later?

• Yes – 50.23 per cent
• No – 49.77 per cent
• Tool Do you think cellphones have a place in the classroom as an educational tool?
• Yes – 27.97 per cent
• No – 72.03 per cent
• Bullying Have you ever been bullied in school?
• Yes – 45.63 per cent
• No – 54.37 per cent
• Sex ed Should information about all sexualities be taught during sex ed?
• Yes – 81.59 per cent
• No – 18.41 per cent­