FAIRFAX, Va. — To help curb the growing concerns of what kind of impact cellphones have on children in school, officials at Fairfax County Public Schools are about to explore ways to further limit cellphone access.
During a meeting to discuss student policies on Thursday, the board approved a motion by Member At-Large Kyle McDaniel for the superintendent to develop a plan for secure cellphone storage, such as lockers or magnetic pouches. The board would consider the plan for the next school year.
“So not locked up in a backpack,” McDaniel told WUSA9. “Put in some type of central repository. That repository obviously needs to be put under some type of lock and key or some other type of security that only the adult in the room has access to.”
The current school policy says cellphones must be kept away during the school day at elementary and middle schools. Phones for high school students must be silenced and put away during class, but they can stay with the student.
Part of the motion also included creating a strategic communication plan to help reinforce what the cellphone policy use is to students and parents.
“We have rules in place that are not consistently enforced, and that has to change,” he added.
The issue of restricting cellphones has become a nationwide problem. Concerns over how distracting it can be on a child’s education grew especially in the midst of the pandemic.
The National Center for Education Statistics says about 77% of school systems across the country have policies that prohibit students from using phones during school hours.
Some states, most recently Ohio, have turned to passing legislation to limit cellphone use in schools.
“I think it’s a very good idea,” Fairfax County parent Tuan Doan said. “We give our daughter a quota. She can use her cellphone for one hour max during the weekday and during the weekend, it’s more.”
Oakton High School student Benjamin Reno said he’s not a fan of locking up phones and feels school officials should talk to students more about it.
“I could see how helpful it would be because it’s a distraction away from me," Reno admitted.
When asked about possible concerns parents may need to reach their kids, McDaniel said the school district needs to find a balance.
McDaniel also supported another motion to change the policy that would require teachers to seek approval to have phones in classrooms for certain assignments.
He hopes Dr. Reid will have a plan by July.