The conversation centered around the effects of an ongoing pilot program restricting phone use during instructional time. The board considered two potential paths: maintaining the current guidelines with limited phone access or adopting a stricter “bell-to-bell” policy.
The board first implemented a cell phone pilot program at the start of the 2024–25 school year, following Gov. Glenn Youngkin's order to schools to develop and implement plans for cell phone-free learning by 2025. Prince William County Public Schools' current policy requires that cell phones be turned off and put away during class periods, with high school students allowed access during lunch and passing periods. The goal is to foster a more engaging classroom environment with increased face-to-face student interactions.
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On September 19, First Lady of Virginia Suzanne S. Youngkin and social psychologist Dr. Jonathan Haidt will hold a fireside chat to discuss Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. The event will explore the impact of social media and cell phone use on childhood and mental health, focusing on how communities and schools can address these issues.
The event will be broadcast live to participating schools, which are encouraged to use it as an opportunity for discussions with parents, educators, students, and families about cell phone and social media use. Schools will receive a facilitator’s guide with materials and technical support for these conversations.
Many school districts updated their cell phone usage policies prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year. Stafford County schools require students keep their phones stored out of sight. In Prince William County, phones are prohibited during instructional time.
In Stafford County, both Anthony Burns Elementary School and Widewater Elementary School are participating in the fireside chat. Pre-registration is required using an online form, and doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
In Prince William County, Old Bridge Elementary School is participating. Pre-registration is required through an online form.
Youngkin, a mother of four children, works alongside husband Governor Glenn Youngkin to address various community needs. Her focus includes issues such as mental and behavioral healthcare, workforce preparedness, and addressing the fentanyl crisis.
Haidt is a professor at New York University and an author known for his research on morality and its cultural variations. His recent work has focused on the role of social media in the mental health decline among teens. The Anxious Generation, published in 2024, addresses the effects of technology on childhood development.
FCPS cellphone practices in 2023-24 included the following: phones must be turned off and stored out-of-sight during the school day except during specified times, and in limited areas. Secondary students were allowed to use their cell phones on buses provided they used headphones, earbuds or other personal listening equipment.
FCPS Spokesman Katie Hornung said the majority of the group believed cell phones should be contained in secured pouches during the school day. These commercial pouches are made for school use by the Yondr company and can only be opened with a special device when the student leaves school.Â
