When the Virginia Department of Education released its draft guidelines for a statewide cellphone ban in schools in August 2024, it sparked an outpouring of opposition, particularly in Patrick County.
Local parents voiced their concerns over the proposal, which would mandate that students keep their phones off and away for the entire school day, a policy set to be implemented statewide by January 1, 2025.
One of the most vocal groups against the proposed all-day phone ban were Patrick County residents, who submitted nearly 150 comments to the state during the public feedback period. Of these submissions, 70% expressed opposition to the policy.
“This has to be the most ridiculous, tone-deaf thing I’ve heard in a while,” one commenter wrote, echoing sentiments shared by many in the rural Virginia county.
While many agreed with the idea of limiting phone use during class time, they raised serious concerns about the implications of a complete ban.
One parent cited a troubling incident from August 2023 when a man, later charged with stabbing a woman, approached Stuart Elementary School near dismissal time.
The school resource officer quickly detained the individual, but the incident left many parents unsettled about their children's safety.
"I fully support ‘phones in the backpack’ type policies,” the parent commented. “However, until you can guarantee that my children are safe from violence while in a Virginia school, they will have a cell phone with them at all times. Period.”
The draft guidelines, which were created in response to Governor Glenn Youngkin’s push to boost academic performance and reduce the impact of social media on youth mental health, instructed school divisions to implement a “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban.
The policy affects all grade levels, requiring students to keep their phones off and stored away throughout the day, with the expectation that school divisions adopt the new rules by January 1, 2025.
Patrick County, which serves approximately 2,400 public school students, had the second-highest number of responses to the draft guidelines in the state, with only Hanover County—much larger in size—receiving more comments.
The feedback from Patrick County has led local school officials to reconsider a strict phone ban in favor of policies that allow phones to be kept in bags or backpacks throughout the day, especially for high school students.
Patrick County Superintendent Jason Wood addressed these concerns in a December interview, stating, “The number one concern that kept resonating with us is the safety concern,” adding that the division is working to balance safety and academic priorities.
“We’re going to allow students to have them as close as possible for an emergency,” Wood said. However, he emphasized that students should not feel the need to use their phones to call for help, as every classroom in the district is equipped with landline phones for emergencies.
In addition to landlines, Patrick County is also implementing new safety measures, including mobile panic button cards for school staff and metal detectors at Patrick County High School. These changes are part of a broader effort to improve safety and communication with families, particularly in the event of an emergency.
While Patrick County is moving forward with allowing phones in backpacks, other school divisions across the state are adopting varying policies.
For example, the school board in Roanoke decided to maintain its existing policy, which permits high school students to use their phones between classes and during lunch. In contrast, Bristol plans to delay any decisions until January to ensure that new school board members can contribute to the discussion.
Virginia is one of around 20 states that have introduced some form of cellphone restriction for K-12 students, with the goal of reducing distractions and promoting mental well-being. The state’s guidance comes in response to growing concerns about the role of smartphones and social media in exacerbating mental health issues among students.
However, for many parents, the safety of their children remains a paramount concern, and they are hesitant to fully embrace a policy that might hinder their ability to reach their children during emergencies.
As Patrick County prepares for the new policy to take effect in January, local officials are emphasizing the importance of maintaining open communication with families and continuing to implement layers of security to ensure student safety. Superintendent Wood reiterated, “We will stress the added layers of security that we already had in place,” to help parents feel reassured about the changes.
The debate over cellphone use in schools continues to spark passionate discussions across Virginia, with both sides weighing the potential benefits and drawbacks of the statewide ban.
As the new year approaches, the community’s concerns about safety and communication remain at the forefront of the conversation.