Virginia schools cell phone restrictions recommended for grade levels

cell phonePhoto byOnur BinayonUnsplash

The Virginia Department of Education is in the process of drafting guidelines for restricting student cell phone use during the school day.

All grades will not have the same restrictions. Cell phone restrictions will depend on the school district and on the grade level.

Kindergarten through Grade 5

In kindergarten through grade 5, the state recommends students may not use cell phones and personal devices in school buildings and on school grounds. Devices that parents permit their students to bring to school must be turned off and stored away during the school day.

Grade 6 through Grade 8

The policy for middle school students in sixth to eighth grade says cell phones and devices must be stored and turned off during the school day. School divisions may make policies for use of devices before and after school, on school buses, in school buildings outside classes, and on school grounds.

Grade 9 through Grade 12

In high schools from ninth to 12th grade, cell phones and devices are not permitted during the school day. Students will have to store devices during the school day and will be allowed to use devices before or after school.

School issued devices

Schools may give middle and high school students guidance on using school-issued devices, apps and educational tools for academic work. Teachers and extracurricular activity sponsors will be asked to use non-social media-based apps during school hours.

Each school division will be permitted to set cell phone policies on school buses, athletics, field trips and other events outside school buildings.

Public feedback is being accepted by the Virginia Department of Education through September 15, 2024. Final guidance by the state will be issued on September 16, 2024, and school divisions will be instructed to adopt cell phone policies by January 1, 2025.