Manitoba bans teachers from texting, messaging students on social media

The Manitoba government is banning teachers from texting with students or messaging them on social media sites. 

The province says school employees will still be able to communicate with students on platforms that are monitored by school divisions or other administrators. 

Education Minister Tracy Schmidt says the province's directive will help keep kids safe, set expectations for parents and give educators guidelines. 

All schools will be required to share the changes with students, staff and families in their communities. 

The ban comes after two educators recently lost their teaching certificates for sending inappropriate messages to students. 

An investigation by Manitoba's independent education commissioner found that in one case, the teacher engaged in a years-long inappropriate relationship with a student that began in middle school and continued as the student went into high school. 


This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2026. 

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