Students in Loudoun County Public Schools are experiencing a big change this year regarding the usage of personal technology. In January, LCPS will switch to a cell-phone free learning environment.
The first round of enforcement took place on August 24, 2024. It included the ban on personal computers and cell phones in classrooms and the permission of students to access their phones during the last 90 seconds. This coming January, the new rule will enforce no personal devices at lunch, in the hallways, during recharge, and in class.
“This essential action will promote a healthier and more focused educational environment where every child is free to learn,” Governor Glenn Youngkin said. “Creating cell phone and social media-free educational environments in Virginia’s K-12 education system will benefit students, parents, and educators.”
Some educators say that they are happy that their students will be able to be more productive in class and participate more. They say they are excited to get back into “old school” learning, and that mobile devices resulted in more retakes due to not paying attention in class. They feel that a phone-free zone will help clear their heads and get ready for a day of learning.
“ I really love the new phone rule. I can see you guys interacting and becoming friends with each other,” Spanish teacher Tatiana Peredo said. “I started collecting phones before the phone rule and it’s helped my classes stay focused.”
While other educators are not so supportive of it, they believe that taking away technology from students will only make them want to use their devices more. These educators don’t feel the need to take them away because it will cause unnecessary scenes in class and take away from actual learning.
“As a parent, I prefer the way the phone rule is now,” Counselor Secretary Girardi said. “As an educator, I would still say the same thing.”
Students’ home lives and routines could change due to this rule, like spending more time on it at home rather than doing something else. Parents are also scared that they will be unable to communicate with their children if an emergency occurs.
“Implementing cell phone-free education in Virginia’s K-12 public schools is critical, especially given youth chronic health conditions,” Younkin said. “Such as depression and anxiety, that are driven in part by extensive social media and cell phone use.”
Students’ mental health is not something LCPS takes lightly. However, with the new rules, it will most likely affect many. With separation anxiety, ADHD, and more, students with these might use their phones more as a tool than a distraction. The policy says nothing regarding students with those needs and it is concerning to parents of these teens that use their devices to help them in the classroom setting.
“I am very interested to see how students’ dynamics and routines change due to this new set of rules,” Girardi said. “I do believe there will be more positive outcomes due to this than negative.
