As part of its ongoing Intentional Technology Initiative, Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) expanded existing Gmail and YouTube restrictions in August to include students in grades 3-5.

Students in kindergarten through second grade were already restricted from accessing these services. The change is intended to support more intentional technology use for instruction and reduce digital distractions for elementary students.

LCPS received feedback from parents and staff asking for fewer distractions at the elementary level and for classroom technology use to directly support teaching and learning. The division also reviewed how students in grades 3-5 were using the platforms and found very limited instructional use of Gmail.

While students in grades 3-5 can no longer directly access YouTube using their LCPS accounts, YouTube content remains available for instructional use. Teachers can show curated content during classroom instruction, and students can view teacher-selected YouTube videos embedded in some LCPS-supported platforms. Students also continue to have access to other Google tools used for instruction, including Google Drive, Docs and Slides.

Families do not need to take any action, and students can continue to access teacher-assigned digital resources from home.

The Gmail and YouTube changes are one part of LCPS' broader Intentional Technology Initiative, which focuses on aligning technology use with instructional best practices and ensuring digital tools support teaching and learning.

Learn more about the Gmail and YouTube changes and other Intentional Technology efforts on the Intentional Technology webpage.