VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — After months of discussion, Virginia Beach City Public Schools has a cell phone-free policy that helps them adhere to Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s executive order to provide a cell phone-free education.

Youngkin’s policy comes as he has asked state lawmakers to raise the age limit for minors to use social media platforms. The Virginia Department of Education unveiled its final policy on cell phone-free education in September.

Hampton Roads’ largest school division isn’t changing its cell phone policy much, however. The board voted unanimously Tuesday to keep elementary and middle school students without cell phones from the start of the school day to the end.

But high school students who otherwise cannot use their cell phones during the school day can use them during lunch — that part, board members said, was key.

As the policy was first presented to the board, high school students would not have been allowed to use cell phones at lunch. Many parents, and even board members, voiced concerns over taking away phones during lunch, saying it would be crucial for students to have it during that time.

“And there are certain families within our district who are going to be disproportionately impacted by the lack of being able to communicate during that lunch break hour,” VBCPS Board Member Jessica Owens said.

The board said it plans to revisit the policy in the next school year after new board members are seated.

But for now, the current board felt that this was the best decision moving forward to help students adjust. They had discussed whether to move the cell phone-free policy to the 2025-2026 school year last month, but ultimately ratified a new policy that is not much of a change from what’s currently in place.

The new rule takes effect Jan. 1, and students will be expected to follow it or face disciplinary action.