Cell Phone-Free Policy Begins At Prince William County Schools: Take Our Poll

WOODBRIDGE, VA — With the new school year comes new cell phone restrictions for students at Prince William County Public Schools. Scroll down to the end of this story to take our reader poll on school cell phone bans.

At the start of the 2025-2026 school year, PWCS introduced its new cell phone policy. Under the policy, students must turn off cell phones and personal electronic communication devices during the bell-to-bell school day and classes, including on field trips.

Guidelines vary by school level. For elementary and K-8 students, devices must be turned off, stored away and not used in school buildings or school grounds during classes, including field trips. Students may use devices on school buses, in parent or guardian vehicles and before and after exiting school grounds.

For middle and high school students, cell phones and other personal devices should be turned off and stored away during the bell-to-bell school day and classes, including on field trips. Cell phone use is allowed on school campuses before and after the bell-to-bell school day. Cell phones may be used on buses as long as they don't distract drivers or violate the student code of conduct.

At all schools, dual-purpose watches are allowed at school as long as wireless or cellular features are turned off during the school day. PWCS says students cannot create, access or share prohibited content on school property, buses or school-sponsored events. That includes content with obscenity, profanity, or involving or threatening illegal acts; content that bullies, harasses, threatens, or degrades others; content using artificial intelligence to impersonate others; videotaping misconduct; use of cell phones or communications devices in restrooms or locker rooms; or use of devices to cheat or other ways violating PWCS policies.

Exceptions to the policy may be granted to students receiving disability accommodations under Section 504 plans or IEPs.

Violations of the cell phone-free policy could result in phones being taken and further discipline. A first offense would result in the student's device being turned into the main office and returned at the end of the school day. For a second offense, the device would again be locked in the main office and returned after the school day. A parent or guardian will be notified on SchoolStatus and informed that a third offense would result in discipline.

For a third offense, the student's device will be locked in the main office, and the student will have to complete a Healthy Cell Phone Use Canvas Module during lunch detention, after-school detention, restorative reflection or Saturday school. A parent or guardian must pick up the device from the school.

PWCS and other school divisions adopted cell phone-free policies following a 2024 executive order from Gov. Glenn Youngkin and subsequent guidance from the Virginia Department of Education. In cases of emergencies and other urgent communications from parents and guardians, PWCS encourages contacting the school's front office to get in touch with their students. In emergencies, school staff will have access to a cell phone or classroom phone and will provide direction to students on allowing use of devices.

Manassas City Public Schools and Manassas Park City Schools adopted similar policies restricting student cell phone use.

SEE ALSO:

VA School Cell Phone Ban Now In Effect: What To Know

Restricting Cell Phone Use In Schools: Virginia's Guidance Finalized

We want to know what readers think of banning cell phone use in schools. Whether you agree or disagree with the cell phone ban, feel free to leave a comment in the poll to let us know your thoughts.