Loudoun County Public Schools Restrict Elementary Students' Access To These Websites

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — Loudoun County Public Schools has expanded restrictions on student access to Gmail and YouTube as part of an effort to reduce digital distractions and make technology use more intentional in elementary classrooms, the school system announced Tuesday.

Beginning in August, students in grades three through five were no longer able to access Gmail or directly access YouTube through their LCPS accounts. Students in kindergarten through second grade were already restricted from using the services.

LCPS said the change was made after receiving feedback from parents and staff seeking fewer digital distractions for elementary students and asking that classroom technology be more closely connected to instruction.

The school division also reviewed how students in grades three through five were using the platforms and found that Gmail had very limited instructional use.

The restrictions do not eliminate YouTube videos from classrooms. Teachers can continue showing curated videos and students can watch teacher-selected YouTube videos embedded in certain LCPS-supported platforms.

Students also retain access to other Google products used for schoolwork.

The changes apply to LCPS accounts and do not require parents to make changes at home. Students will continue to be able to access digital resources assigned by their teachers outside of school.

The restrictions are part of LCPS' broader Intentional Technology Initiative, which the division says is designed to align the use of digital tools with instructional best practices and ensure technology supports teaching and learning.