Cell Phone Ban Pilot Program Planned At 33 Prince William County Schools

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — The policy on keeping phones away during class time will become stricter at Prince William County Public Schools in the upcoming school year.

PWCS announced it will restrict use of cell phones and other personal wireless communications devices during instructional times. A pilot program will start in 33 schools at the start of the 2024-2025 school year, according to the PWCS website. The first day of school for PWCS students will be Aug. 19.

The school district says the pilot program seeks to remove a distraction from academics to improve engagement in class. For kindergarten to eighth grade, devices must be silenced and stored away during the school day. Ninth to 12th grade students must silence and store away devices during instructional periods but may use them during lunch and passing times, except in bathrooms and locker rooms.

Middle, traditional and K-8 schools participating in the pilot program will be Benton, Beville, Bull Run, Fred Lynn, Gainesville, Graham Park, Hampton, Lake Ridge, Marsteller, The Nokesville School, Parkside, Pennington Traditional, Porter Traditional, Potomac, Potomac Shores, Reagan, Rippon, Saunders, Unity Braxton and Woodbridge.

Participating high schools will be Battlefield, Brentsville District, Colgan, Forest Park, Freedom, Gainesville, Gar-Field, Hylton, Osbourn Park, Patriot, Potomac, Unity Reed and Woodbridge.

Schools within the pilot program will allow dual-purpose watches, but they must be put in airplane mode to turn off wireless and cellular features. Cell phones are still allowed on school buses as long as they do not distract the bus driver, compromise safety or violate student conduct code.

Parents and guardians are asked to use the school office to get messages to students during the school day. PWCS says students may use a phone in the main office to contact a parent or guardian during the school day when needed. In the case of an emergency, staff will provide direction on approving device use to contact parents or guardians. Exceptions may be granted to students with Section 504 plans or IEPs as determined by the schools.

All students may not use devices for cheating or viewing content that is obscene, profane, contains illegal acts, promotes bullying, harassment, threats or degrading others, or videotapes misconduct. Students may not use devices in restrooms or locker rooms, and taping of undressed students will result in discipline and possible referral to law enforcement.

The new policy comes after Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced an executive order to require local school districts to develop cell phone-free policies by Jan. 1, 2025. On Aug. 15, the Virginia Department of Education will draft guidance for school districts to adopt their own policies and procedures on cell phone-free education after receiving community feedback. Residents are proving feedback at commonwealth conversations around the state and an online form. Final guidance would be issued in September after public feedback.

In issuing the order, Youngkin pointed to research showing mental health outcomes like depression and anxiety being fueled in part by social media and cell phone overuse. Recently, the U.S. surgeon general called for social media platforms to put warning labels on social media apps.

Neighboring Loudoun County's School Board recently approved a new policy that bans phone use during the school day or during classes, depending on the school level. In Fairfax County, select middle schools will launch a pilot program to use cell phone storage pouches during the school day.