Beginning next school year, VA Senate Bill 108 aims to implement stricter phone-use regulations during school periods. The bill prohibits students from using their phones throughout the entire school day, now including lunch periods.
While phone restrictions have persisted in classrooms for the last few years, the expansion of the policy to lunch periods has generated mixed reactions among students, staff and parents across McLean.
Many students believe the policy could affect their peers negatively throughout the school year, especially for those who already regularly use their phones during lunch.
“Mentally, its going to take a toll on some students,” said sophomore Evan Herlands. “Lunch is a time for relaxation, and some students just want to be on their phone.”
Students affirm that the current policy already balances limiting classroom distractions while still allowing students to access their devices during non-instructional periods.
“I agree that it’s not good to have phones in the class because students focus more, however students should be allowed to have them during lunch,” Herlands said. “The policy in place already ensures an academic environment.”
Students who rely on their cellular devices to coordinate transportation and extracurricular activities worry that their restrictions could create logistical challenges.
“I carpool to school or practice almost every single day during the spring season,” sophomore Elise Lucia said. “Without my phone, I don’t have the ability to communicate any last-minute schedule changes with my family.”
Athletes often receive updates regarding practices, games and transportation arrangements throughout the school day. Without immediate access to their phones, some students fear communication delays could create confusion.
“As a captain of the tennis team, many of my teammates need rides to games which are far away,” said Katelyn Gray, Senior Tennis Captain. “These texts are really urgent and sometimes I get them in the middle of the school day, which students need their phone for.”
The Student Advisory Council also shares its disappointment regarding the policy.
“Adjusting to the phone policy this year had been hard for many students across McLean as this was a sudden shift in their daily high school day,” said Mickey Bekele, Student Advisory Council officer. “Much of the student body complained about the lack of communication with their parents, limiting privacy, and the overall unpleasantness of the policy.”
However, staff views the policy as a benefit towards the student community as a whole.
“Its amazing how we are just fine without a phone,” Student Resource Officer Scott Davis said. “Obviously I think technology is great and I think it has its place but they have done their research on why they don’t want to have phones in school.”
Although the policy brings major change to Virginia based schools next year, McLean staff affirms that the policy would be a smooth change.
“This year was shaky at first due to the abundance of policies,” Davis said. “Next year will be much smoother, as this year was a warm-up.”
