Richmond, Virginia – Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) issued an executive order on Tuesday to implement policies aimed at restricting cellphone use in schools. The governor expressed concerns about the negative impact of excessive phone usage and social media on the mental health of young people.
Under the executive order, the Virginia Department of Education will work on providing guidance to school districts to establish a “phone-free” educational environment. The intention behind this initiative is to limit the amount of time students spend on their phones “without parental supervision.” While the order does not outright ban the use of phones in classrooms, it aims to create a more focused and healthier learning environment for children.
Governor Youngkin emphasized the importance of promoting an educational setting free from cellphones and social media. He believes that by implementing cellphone and social media-free environments in K-12 schools in Virginia, it will benefit students, parents, and educators alike.
This move aligns with a growing trend across states in the United States, as many are considering or implementing restrictions on cellphone use in schools. California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) recently expressed support for such restrictions, following the U.S. Surgeon General’s call for warning labels on social media apps due to their detrimental effects on youth mental health.
The debate over cellphone usage in schools has been ongoing and educators have voiced concerns about students being distracted by texting, scrolling, and playing games during class. Some schools have already implemented their own policies to address phone usage, such as requiring students to keep their phones turned off or stored away during class time.
Research has shown that a high percentage of teens use cellphones during the school day, with concerns raised about the impact on academic performance and mental health. With the ongoing challenges in education due to the pandemic, there is a heightened urgency to address the issue of excessive screen time in schools.
While opinions on restricting cellphone use in schools vary among parents, some argue that decisions regarding phone usage should be left to parents. However, proponents of tighter restrictions believe that limiting screen time will not only benefit student mental health but also enhance the learning environment by reducing distractions.
In response to the executive order, the Virginia Department of Education will gather input from parents and stakeholders through listening sessions to determine the best approaches for the state. The department will then issue guidance on implementing best practices and policies by January 1, with the aim of creating consistency across school districts.
Overall, the goal of the executive order is to streamline efforts to limit phone use in schools by providing clear guidance and best practices at the state level. With many school districts already implementing rules on cellphone usage, the focus is now on how to strengthen these policies and ensure they are effectively enforced for the benefit of students’ education.