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Virginia students could face a full-day ban on cellphone use beginning next school year, with lunch no longer exempt under Senate Bill 108.

The proposed expansion has drawn mixed reactions in McLean, where classroom restrictions have already been in place for several years. Some students say the current policy appropriately limits distractions during instruction while giving them access to their devices during lunch.

“Mentally, it’s going to take a toll on some students,” sophomore Evan Herlands said. “Lunch is a time for relaxation, and some students just want to be on their phone.”

Herlands supports keeping phones out of classrooms but believes students should be allowed to use them during lunch. He said the existing rules already protect the school’s academic environment.

Other students worry that full-day restrictions could make it harder to coordinate transportation and after-school activities.

Sophomore Elise Lucia, who carpools to school or practice nearly every day during the spring season, said losing access to her phone would prevent her from communicating last-minute schedule changes with her family.

Student-athletes can also receive updates about practices, games and transportation during school hours. Senior tennis captain Katelyn Gray said some teammates need help arranging rides to distant matches.

“These texts are really urgent and sometimes I get them in the middle of the school day,” Gray said.

The Student Advisory Council has also expressed disappointment with the expanded restrictions. Council officer Mickey Bekele said students already had difficulty adjusting to this year’s policy after it abruptly changed their daily routines.

Bekele said students complained about reduced communication with their parents, privacy concerns and the overall effect of the rules.

Some staff members, however, believe tighter limits will benefit the student body.

“It’s 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.”

Davis acknowledged that the transition was initially uneven because students encountered numerous new policies. He expects the adjustment to be easier next school year, describing the current year as a warm-up.