Over 1,600 mobile devices were confiscated at Hanover County Public Schools during the 2024–25 school year. (Grant Davies/Unsplash)
One school division went all-in on unplugging during the day—and the results are in.
Over 1,600 mobile devices were confiscated at Hanover County Public Schools during the 2024–25 school year.
The results followed an update to the division’s mobile device policy, which states that devices must be powered off and out of sight from arrival to dismissal.
The rules also apply during class changes and at lunch.
“Accordingly, in the interest of student mental health and well-being and building on our school division’s longstanding tradition of providing engaging and impactful learning opportunities and environments for our students, the Hanover County School Board recently approved changes to our Code of Student Conduct, including the policy for mobile devices,” a statement on the division website read.
During the school day, students may not use:
- Cell phones
- Smart watches
- Headphones or earbuds
Failure to follow the policy will result in disciplinary action and confiscation. A parent or guardian must pick up the device at school during regular office hours.
Related: UVA researcher breaks down the myths behind math anxiety
Support Our Cause
Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Virginians and our future.
Since day one, our goal here at Dogwood has always been to empower people across the commonwealth with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Virginia families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.
Virginia public schools had more than 3,200 unfilled teaching positions in 2024-25
Something’s missing in Virginia classrooms—and it’s not just school supplies. According to the Virginia Department of Education Teacher Vacancy...
Botetourt County Public Schools reinstated random student drug testing
A previously paused policy is back in Botetourt—here’s what it means for students signing up for extracurriculars and parking permits. Following a...
New federal loan limits could derail Virginia students’ path to medical school
This story by Shalina Chatlani was produced by Stateline and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Twenty-eight-year-old Michaela Bonner has been...
Public school defender Ghazala Hashmi takes on right-wing radio’s Reid for lieutenant governor
Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, a mom of two daughters, is clear about the choice Virginians face when they go to the polls this November. Do they want to...
The Spanberger strategy: Can this Virginia Democrat reset the politics of public education?
This story was originally reported by Mel Leonor Barclay of The 19th. Meet Mel and read more of her reporting on gender, politics and policy. During...
Is Virginia’s #2 Republican trying to wreck your local school? We’ve got the receipts on Winsome Earle-Sears
Here are 4 instances when the Republican running for governor of Virginia has proven she’d make public schools worse. Worried your kid’s school...
