Entering the 2025-2026 school year, we are expanding our Middle/High School cell phone policies in partnership with TRUCE Family, a new app that will enhance our students’ on-campus social and learning experience at VCS.
Please make sure to watch the introductory video for important introductory information about the required TRUCE Family App and its implementation for all students in Middle and High School.
We will provide more information later this summer with download instructions, policy details, and more. In the meantime, you can learn more about the TRUCE Family App by clicking here.
TRUCE Family FAQs
- What is TRUCE Family?
- How does TRUCE Family work?
- Why is the school introducing TRUCE Family?
- What makes TRUCE Family different from other solutions, such as pouches?
- What devices does it work on?
- Does TRUCE Family share personal data?
- How do I set up TRUCE Family on my child’s phone?
- How is it set up for school?
- Can my child remove the app?
- Does TRUCE Family work at home?
- What if my child has special circumstances and needs access to a specific app at school?
- What happens in an emergency?
- Can I still use my phone at school?
- Will TRUCE Family delete my apps or data?
- How does TRUCE Family help me?
- How does TRUCE Family support school phone policies?
- Can we make exceptions for medical or academic needs?
- How does TRUCE Family benefit teachers and classroom management?
General Overview
What is TRUCE Family?
TRUCE Family is a simple app that helps families manage mobile device use. It includes tools for location sharing, parental controls, and safe driving habits. At school, TRUCE Family extends these features by restricting distracting apps during school hours, ensuring students stay focused while keeping their phones for emergencies and communication.
How does TRUCE Family work?
TRUCE Family uses time and location to enforce school phone rules automatically. It limits access to distracting apps, such as games and social media, during class while still allowing students to carry their phones for safety and communication purposes. At home, families can use it to set custom restrictions and encourage healthier phone habits.
Why is the school introducing TRUCE Family?
Schools are adopting TRUCE Family to reduce classroom distractions and support new or upcoming phone policies required by law. It offers a balanced approach, ensuring students stay focused without banning phones entirely.
What makes TRUCE Family different from other solutions, such as pouches?
Unlike pouches that lock away phones, TRUCE Family allows students to keep their phones while limiting access to distracting apps. This ensures safety, dignity, and convenience for both students and schools.
What devices does it work on?
TRUCE Family supports iOS and Android devices.
Privacy and Security
Does TRUCE Family share personal data?
No, TRUCE Family does not share personal data outside your family without your explicit consent. All data collected by TRUCE Family is owned by and accessible only to your family.
Location data is a valuable feature of TRUCE Family, enabling family members to see each other’s locations and allowing the app to enforce restrictions, such as when driving or during school hours. None of this data, or any other personal information, is shared with the school or any outside party without the account owner's specific approval.
For example, if approved, the school may receive minimal information—such as confirmation that your child is enrolled and participating in the program—but no location data or other personal information will ever be shared. TRUCE Family is highly secure, ensuring that your data remains private and protected.
Setup and Use
How do I set up TRUCE Family on my child’s phone?
It’s easy! Follow these key steps from TRUCE Family’s Account Creation Guide (click here).
- Download the TRUCE Family app from the App Store or Google Play on the parents' and child’s devices.
- On the parent device, follow the simple steps to set up your family account. Then add your child to the family list and link their account to their school using the provided code.
- Log in to the TRUCE Family app on your child’s device.
How is it set up for school?
Parents download the app, set up their family account, and link their child’s device to the school’s policy using a join code. Once linked, the restrictions apply automatically.
Can my child remove the app?
No, TRUCE Family is protected by parental controls, so only you can remove it.
Does TRUCE Family work at home?
Yes! Parents can use it to create phone-free times for homework, family time, or safe driving.
What if my child has special circumstances and needs access to a specific app at school?
If your child has an academic or medical need for a particular app during school hours, an exception can be made upon request. Contact your school administrator to discuss your child’s needs, and they will guide you through the process of selecting and enabling the specific app required.
What happens in an emergency?
In an emergency, your child’s phone will always be able to make and receive calls, and location sharing remains active. Messages can be sent through the TRUCE Family app or standard text messaging, and any restricted messages will be accessible as soon as the device is released from the restriction policy. Additionally, if an emergency or evacuation occurs at school, staff can quickly disable all device restrictions with a single action in TRUCE Family, ensuring full communication and safety.
For Students
Can I still use my phone at school?
You can keep your phone with you at all times. However, in areas such as classrooms or hallways where phones are not allowed, apps will be restricted, thereby removing the temptation to break school policies. In some cases, your school may designate approved areas where phones are fully functional, allowing you to access all apps. Additionally, certain apps, such as navigation or music, may still be available in specific restricted situations, like while driving. This creates a great compromise that helps everyone stay on track.
The TRUCE Family app is geofenced to the Village Christian campus, limiting the use of apps and messaging from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:05 p.m. to 2:40 p.m. in High School and 8 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. in Middle School. HOWEVER, phone calls, location services, and limited mobile web use will be unaffected and available in accordance with school policies.
Will TRUCE Family delete my apps or data?
No, TRUCE Family doesn’t delete apps or access your data. It simply disables certain apps while restrictions are active, like during school hours. Once restrictions are lifted, your device returns to normal with all apps and data exactly as they were.
How does TRUCE Family help me?
TRUCE Family helps you manage the urge to constantly check your phone, keeping you out of trouble at school. Phones are excellent tools that help us stay connected, informed, and entertained, but there’s a time and place for them. TRUCE makes it easier to develop good habits and enjoy a smoother, more pleasant experience in environments where phones aren’t appropriate.
For Schools
How does TRUCE Family support school phone policies?
TRUCE Family automates policy enforcement by limiting access to distracting apps during school hours. It operates in the background, reducing the need for teachers to manage phones manually and ensuring consistent compliance with school policies.
Can we make exceptions for medical or academic needs?
Yes, TRUCE Family is flexible and allows for special exceptions. Administrators can enable access to essential apps for students with medical needs or specific academic requirements, ensuring the system accommodates all students effectively.
How does TRUCE Family benefit teachers and classroom management?
TRUCE Family removes distractions without requiring teachers to enforce rules or collect phones, creating a more focused learning environment. This allows teachers to concentrate on teaching, knowing that phones are no longer a distraction in the classroom.
Want to learn more? Visit the TRUCE Family Knowledge website for help and to share your feedback.