Delegate Rasoul Backs Wait Until Eighth Initiative

The state legislator visited a Roanoke school to promote delaying smartphone access until after eighth grade.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Secondary Education

Delegate Rasoul Backs Wait Until Eighth Initiative

Live Poll

Do you support delaying giving your child a smartphone until after they finish eighth grade?

Virginia Delegate Sam Rasoul has introduced the Wait Until Eighth initiative to curb student screen time. Parents in Roanoke are being asked to pledge to withhold smartphones from their children until they complete eighth grade.

Why it matters

School officials and parents in the Roanoke area have identified excessive screen time as a significant barrier to student learning. By limiting technology, proponents aim to foster an environment more conducive to academic engagement.

The initiative asks parents to sign a pledge to delay smartphone ownership until after eighth grade. The program operates as a voluntary commitment to reduce screen time barriers for students.

The players

Sam Rasoul

He is a Virginia Delegate representing constituents in the Commonwealth.

Roanoke City Council of PTAs

This is a local advocacy organization representing parent-teacher associations across the city.

Grandin Court Elementary School

This is a public primary educational institution located in Roanoke.

The details

Delegate Rasoul visited Grandin Court Elementary School to highlight the need for stricter technology guardrails. He is working alongside the Roanoke City Council of PTAs to promote these limitations within the local district.

October 14, 2026: Delegate Sam Rasoul visited Grandin Court Elementary School.

Culture Shift

The adoption of the Wait Until Eighth national movement in Roanoke follows a pattern set by districts nationwide seeking to limit digital distractions in classrooms. This legislative effort underscores a broader societal pushback against early-childhood screen dependence.

Parents in the Roanoke area are encouraged to review their household technology policies and consider the impact of smartphones on their child's daily routine. The initiative may lead to a shift in community standards regarding when students are expected to own personal mobile devices.

The takeaway

Parents can improve student focus by establishing clear boundaries around personal technology use before high school. Delaying smartphone access encourages children to engage more deeply with their immediate physical and academic environments.