Governor Glenn Youngkin Issues Order to Restrict or Ban Phones in Schools

Photo byAndrea Piacquadio via Unsplash

RICHMOND, Va. — Governor Glenn Youngkin has issued an executive order to end the distraction of cell phones in schools statewide.

Executive Order 33, which was officially issued on July 9, 2024, directs the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to draft guidance for public school administrators and teachers so that they can provide “phone-free education.”

The recommended guidance encourages communication with parents, students, teachers and local school leaders to establish age-appropriate restriction or even elimination of cell phone usage during instructional time.

“This action will promote a healthier and more focused educational environment where every child is free to learn. Creating cell phone and social media-free educational environments in Virginia’s K-12 education system will benefit students, parents, and educators,” said Youngkin, in a written statement.

Protocols enabling parents to contact their children in emergencies or other urgent situations are also part of the directive.

“The Executive Order both establishes the clear goal to protect the health and safety of our students by limiting the amount of time they are exposed to addictive cell phones and social media and eliminates clear distractions in the classroom,” said Youngkin.

According to the American Psychological Association, children spend an average of 4.8 hours a day on social media. Recent studies indicate that spending more than three hours a day on social media doubles the risk of poor mental health for adolescents.

“It is time for Virginians to come together to address the damage of social media and screens to healthy childhoods,” said Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera.

According to U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention data from 2019-2021, the rate of suicide has increased 167% since 2010 for girls and 91% since 2010 for boys.

In the same span of time, boys and girls experienced a marked spike in depression.

While some Virginia school divisions have already implemented cell phone limitation in classrooms, Executive Order 33 is the first statewide effort to eliminate or severely restrict cell phone usage during instructional time.

Executive Order 33 directs the VDOE to publish draft guidance by August 15, 2024.

In September, VDOE will issue final guidance for local school divisions to adopt cell phone-free education policies and procedures by January 1, 2025.