Three students work together in a classroom, writing on papers at a table while another reads from a notebook.As part of our continued commitment to providing a high-quality and engaging learning experience for all students, Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) will implement a change to student device access in the 2026–27 school year.

Starting next school year, students will no longer be able to access YouTube directly on their PWCS-issued devices, both in school and at home. This includes YouTube.com and the YouTube app.

While online video can be a valuable instructional resource, access to YouTube, even with filters that limit viewing to education-related content, can present challenges in maintaining a focused and productive learning environment. In practice, students can move beyond an assigned YouTube video to other content, leading to potential distractions. Currently, there is not an effective, reliable way within YouTube to consistently limit students to a single video within the YouTube platform. As a result, this change is intended to better support student engagement and appropriate technology use supporting both teachers and families.

Importantly, this change does not eliminate the use of videos in instruction. Teachers will continue to incorporate video and multimedia resources aligned to the curriculum. Students will still be able to view teacher-selected videos through approved instructional platforms. These videos are intentionally curated to support learning without the distractions of ads, recommendations, or unrelated material.

This shift also aligns with our broader approach to student learning across grade levels. In our younger grades, we prioritize hands-on learning, peer collaboration, and direct interaction, which are essential to building foundational skills. As students progress, instruction emphasizes the strategic and appropriate targeted use of technology, helping students develop the skills they need to thrive in an evolving, technology-rich and AI-driven world.

PWCS will continue to evaluate and refine how instructional technology is used in classrooms to ensure it is purposeful, age-appropriate, and supports student success. As part of this evaluation, the feedback of teachers, administrators, and families will be used to help formulate clear guidelines.

The goal of PWCS is to ensure students graduate with the knowledge, skills and habits of mind to become digital citizens who use information technology to better the world around them. They can utilize technology safely and effectively to gather data and information and apply critical thinking to make informed choices.