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Fairfax County Public Schools is encouraging families to wait until their children finish eighth grade before giving them smartphones, part of a broader effort to reduce screen time and protect childhood experiences.

The Fairfax County School Board approved the “Wait Until 8th” resolution at its April 23 meeting. The measure supports making developmentally appropriate smartphone use a community norm while recognizing that some students, including those with disabilities, may need phones for educational purposes.

“Let’s help our kids get healthier, play more, create more, get outside more, go look for four-leaf clovers,” Dranesville District representative Robyn Lady said.

The resolution, introduced by at-large member Ryan McElveen, passed 10-0. Board chair Sandy Anderson, who represents the Springfield District, abstained.

The recommendation is voluntary and cannot be enforced. Sully District representative Seema Dixit said parents will need to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of digital devices with their children.

Providence District representative Karl Frisch cautioned that waiting until eighth grade does not mean unrestricted smartphone access should begin in ninth grade. Families can introduce phone use gradually and limit which applications children can access, he said.

“This resolution has no teeth unless parents help make it happen,” Frisch said.

Franconia District representative Marcia St. John-Cunning said her work as a parent liaison has shown her that families often feel social pressure to provide children with phones even when parents are unsure how to establish safeguards.

“Once you give a kid this, you’re inviting a lot of things into your home that you would not open the door to,” she said, urging parents to learn how to use device settings and other safety controls.

The resolution points to research linking smartphone use in early adolescence with potential harms. A recent Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia study identified risks including depression, obesity and insufficient sleep.

At-large representative Iryong Moon said adults should also examine their habits. He said his sleep improved after he stopped using his smartphone in bed.

“It has to start with grown-ups,” Moon said. “Let’s model behavior for our youngsters.”

The resolution arrives as FCPS and other school systems examine how cell phones, classroom screen time and artificial intelligence affect learning.

The board is also considering revisions that would prohibit cell phone use during the school day across all grade levels, bringing FCPS rules into alignment with a recently signed state law. Other proposed changes would establish disciplinary procedures for creating or sharing real or fabricated intimate images of another person.

Those revisions were introduced as new business on April 23 and will return for a vote at a future meeting. If approved, they would take effect during the 2026-2027 school year.

“We do want our kids to have more of their childhood back and less of the screen time,” Mason District representative Ricardy Anderson said.