As the school year started in Charlottesville and Albemarle County, something was missing from the halls and classrooms. This year, schools across the state are implementing cell phone-free education in Virginia.
No cell phones in Virginia schools isn’t completely new. Charlottesville City started its “off and away” policy for student cell phones in 2023. Albemarle schools, where I teach, followed soon after. Across Virginia, schools are changing cell phone rules as a result of Executive Order 33.
At a Glance
- Executive Order 33 created a new policy of cell phone-free education in Virginia public schools that ends the use of cell phones during the bell-to-bell school day.
- Cell phone-free education is intended to improve student focus, combat social media addiction, reduce bullying, and improve student mental health.
- Some students wish the ban allowed for cell phone use at lunch and during class transitions, but many also report improved focus during class.
- Parents widely support banning cell phones during the school day, though some are worried about communicating with their children during an emergency.
What Is Executive Order 33?
On July 9, 2024, Governor Glenn Younkin signed Executive Order 33: “Establishing Cell Phone-Free Education to Promote the Health and Safety of Virginia’s K-12 Students.”
The order did not immediately ban cell phones in schools. Instead, it ordered Virginia education and health officials to create guidance and plans for cell phone-free education in Virginia. The guidance needed to take into account how:
- Parents will communicate with students during the school day regarding things like items left at home and pick-up plans;
- Students with medical needs will access necessary devices and ways of communicating for managing their health;
- Schools will facilitate communication with parents during emergency situations;
- Students will use or not use different personal communication devices during the school day, including cell phones, smartphones, smart watches, tablets, and personal computers at school.
Cell Phone-Free Education Policy in Virginia Public Schools
The final guidance and recommended policies were published on the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) website, and schools across the state began implementing them for the new school year.
The VDOE decided that cell phones should be away “bell-to-bell,” meaning that students should not have access to their phones from the start of school until the end. If parents and students need to communicate during the school day, there’s an easy way for them to do that: with the phones already present in the school office.
School systems can decide how this is accomplished. Some options include an honor system for students, cell phone lockers, or cell phone pouches with magnetic locks. The new policies allow for exceptions when it comes to students with specific medical or educational needs.
Schools in Virginia were given until January 1, 2025, to review their current policies and see what changes needed to be made.
Cell Phone Guidance for Virginia Public Elementary Schools
If a parent decides that an elementary school student must bring a cell phone, smartwatch, or other electronic communication device to school, it must be “off and away” during the school day. These devices shouldn’t be used in the school building or on school grounds.
Cell Phone Guidance for Virginia Public Middle Schools
Students shouldn’t have an easily accessible cell phone, smartwatch, or other electronic communication device during the bell-to-bell school day. School divisions should establish their own policies regarding access to personal devices on school grounds before and after the school day.
Cell Phone Guidance for Virginia Public High Schools
Students shouldn’t have an easily accessible cell phone, smartwatch, or other electronic communication device during the bell-to-bell school day. Personal devices may be used before and after the school day on school grounds.
The Impact of Cell Phones on Students
But why all the fuss? Does it really matter if a teenager checks their Instagram for a few seconds during class?
There have been growing concerns about the dopamine addiction caused by technology usage for a while now. Executive Order 33 references a study from The American Psychological Association on screen time and social media usage in young adults, as well as the CDC’s data on the rise of suicide and depression in teens. Both show a rise in social media alongside mental health issues.
Other studies show that just the presence of a cell phone, even if it is in a backpack, can distract students’ attention and harm their focus in class. (A report from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization found that it can take students up to 20 minutes to refocus on a task after being distracted.) Bullying conducted on social media is another concern of many parents and educators.
Cell Phones, School Safety, and Mental Health
But what about safety? Parents often want students to have access to cell phones in case of an emergency. But information collected and shared by the firm National School Safety and Security Services indicates that student cell phones can actually be detrimental to student safety.
- Students have used cell phones to call in bomb and other threats during the school day, or to issue threats against other students.
- During an emergency, parents calling or texting students can distract their attention and put them at risk.
- Students texting or posting online during an emergency may share incorrect or unhelpful information.
- Parents rushing to the school building in response to texts or calls from students can get in the way of emergency responders or make it difficult to move students to another location.
Of course, like any other question of childhood development and education, student cell phone use isn’t a straightforward issue. Nancy Deutch, the co-director of Thriving Youth in a Digital Environment (TYDE), studies the usage of technology in children. She’ss eager for people to know that it’s not the phone itself, which can be a useful tool, but how people use it.
Deutch gives the example of mental health and technology. She says that some studies show that people who struggle with mental health use specific apps more, as opposed to the apps causing the mental health issues. The important thing, says Deutch, is to develop healthy habits when it comes to screen time. This is especially true for teens, whose “neural pathways are developing.”
Students React to New Cell Phone Rules
Balancing educational priorities with the realities of a tech-driven world is no easy task. Now that the law has caught up with technology, what are those who are affected by it seeing?
There have been mixed reactions from those connected to the education system. However, many students said they understood the reason behind the policy.
In a survey where students were asked if they were in favor of a “cell phone-free education,” 60% of students answered no, while 40% answered yes. The majority of anonymous comments expressed the desire to access their phone during free times, such as between classes and during lunch, while being willing to keep them away during class time.
One high school student stated, “I don’t mind cell phones being banned from the classrooms, but I do mind when they ban cell phones from lunchtime and in between class time. It allows me a chance to contact my parents without having to go through the school or without them calling through the school as that can take time versus a quick text to let them or me know if I have an upcoming appointment or to not forget about something.”
When asked about what differences they have seen since the policy change, one sophomore from AHS responded, “I actually really enjoy [the policy]. I feel like it’s helpful for school.” She followed up by saying, “I do feel like kids are more sneaky with their phones. I also feel like kids find more ways to do what they want to do on their phone on their laptop, but there are kids who genuinely get more work done.”
Teenage rebellion is alive and well, but it seems there is an understanding that the policy has good intentions.
Parents and Teachers React to New Cell Phone Rules
Parents and guardians, overall, seem more in favor of the policy than their children. Their survey results had 70% in favor, with only 30% against. One said plainly, “Because school is for learning, not scrolling cell phones.”
However, they were not without concerns. Unlike the students, the main concern parents expressed was safety. “I appreciate that cell phones will no longer be a distraction to students and that teachers can focus on teaching. However, I am glad that my kids can still have their phones with them in their bags.” said Miranda Beath-Soler, a mother of students in both middle and high school. “If there is danger, students should be able to contact their parents or guardians.”
As for the teachers, I can say that I, at least, have noticed a positive difference. With over a year of cellphone-free education, I’ve seen an improvement in the attention span within the classroom. While it can’t solve everything, the rule has removed a major distraction and cause of discontent.
It’s just impossible to compete with the internet at someone’s fingertips, and I’m relieved I don’t have to try anymore.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CELL PHONES IN VIRGINIA SCHOOLS
Are there exceptions to the Virginia cell phone ban in schools?
There are exceptions to Virginia’s new cell phone-free education policy for students who need devices to manage a medical condition or as part of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan.
Some school systems also may allow students to use cell phones on the bus or during after school activities.
What is the cell phone policy in Charlottesville City Schools?
Charlottesville City Schools have an “off and away” policy for cell phones, smartwatches, and other devices during the school day (other than school-issued laptops). However, there is currently no standardized enforcement method, so rules vary between schools and sometimes classrooms.
Parents who need to communicate with their kids during the day are asked to contact them via their school email or to call the school office.
What is the cell phone policy in Albemarle County Public Schools?
Albemarle County Public Schools has a “Personal Device-Free Education” policy. Cell phones, smartwatches, and other devices must be stored during the bell-to-bell school day. This includes lunch and class transition times. Individual elementary schools may completely prohibit devices for students.
“Stored” means the student may not wear or carry the device, even in a pocket. Options for storage include:
- Backpack
- Locker
- Locked pouch (if provided by the school)
- Designated place in the classroom
Students may have and use devices on school buses as long as they are not distracting or disruptive to safety. Bus drivers may tell students to put phones and other devices away if they create a disruptive or unsafe environment.
Explore helpful educational resources in our blogs for Cville families. Learn how to identify your child’s learning style, ways parents can support homework success, and how to navigate college admissions. And don’t forget to keep up with our local school news for Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
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ANGELINA HEAPS grew up right here in Charlottesville, Virginia. Now a mother of two and high school teacher, she keeps herself busy in the community. At Albemarle High School, she teaches English and Creative Writing while advising the school’s award-winning literary magazine, The Lantern. She has also written articles for USA Today Blueprint, focusing on financial literacy and banking. You’ll find Angie exploring with her kids or tucked into a comfy chair with her laptop and a book.
KATHARINE PALJUG is a freelance writer and novelist. She lives in Charlottesville with two busy kids and proudly owns an unreasonable number of books. Find her on Instagram as @katharinewrites.