Youngkin issues executive order to create cell phone-free classrooms in Virginia
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The order directs VDOE to produce a draft version of guidance by Aug. 15 and final guidance the following month, so that school systems statewide can adopt cell phone-free education policities and procedures by Jan. 1, 2025, according to Youngkin's directive. (There are no legal penalties for school systems that choose not to adopt the order.)
“This essential action will promote a healthier and more focused educational environment where every child is free to learn,” Youngkin said.
The order will promote a healthier and more focused educational environment in schools, Youngkin said, pointing to what he termed "evidence of the impact cell phone and social media usage has on education and youth mental health" as a negative side of the devices.
The order directs VDOE to initiate "a robust public engagement effort with parents, students, teachers, local school leaders and other stakeholders to develop collaboratively policies and procedures that establish the age-appropriate restriction or elimination of cell phone use during instructional time, as well as to establish protocols allowing parents to contact their children in emergency and other important situations."
In a post on social media shortly after the announcement, Virginia State Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg of Henrico (D-16th District) expressed support for the move by Youngkin, a Republican. VanValkenurg is a longtime history teacher at Glen Allen High School.
"Glad to see this executive order," he wrote. "The state is a critical partner in helping localities figure out the best way to have cell phone-free classrooms. We know this will improve academic success, decrease mental health and discipline problems and foster a healthier school community."
Responding to the order, Virginia Education Association President James Fedderman urged a "nuanced perspective" that would take into account the feelings of teachers and students alike.
"We urge the Virginia Department of Education to engage in meaningful dialogue with educators to develop balanced guidelines that support effective teaching and learning while also addressing legitimate concerns about distractions," Fedderman said in a statement. "Our priority remains ensuring that policies are practical, enforceable, and in the best interest of our educators, students, and families. VEA stands ready to assist in any way we can."
Last month, the Henrico School Board voted unanimously to adopt tougher consequences for students who violate the division's cell phone policies.
The executive order comes in response to recent studies that have shown that the excessive use of cell phones among youth can lead to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
Children spend an average of 4.8 hours a day on social media, according to a release from Youngkin's office, and studies indicate that spending more than three hours a day on social media doubles the risk of poor mental health for adolescents. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention data from 2019-2021 reported that the rate of suicide has increased 167% since 2010 for girls and 91% since 2010 for boys. In the same timeframe, boys and girls experienced a spike in depression of 161% and 145%, respectively, according to the data.
“Cell phones and digital media have caused pre-teens and teens to disconnect from the real world, have increased mental health challenges, and have caused significant disruption in the important daily learning opportunities in their classrooms,” said Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons. “Parents and teachers understand the importance of creating cell phone-free education in our schools so that students can focus on instruction and learning during the school day. We look forward to facilitating conversations around the danger to our children of cell phones, social media, and the impact of screen time and will focus on creating guidance that protects the health and safety of our students.”
Funding in the amount of $500,000 from VDOE and DBDHS will support state and local efforts to facilitate family nights and community engagement on the youth mental health crisis and cell phone use best practices as well as enable school divisions in need of assistance to receive microgrants to help implement best practices in their local community. As part of the Back-to-School Season, there will be a series of Commonwealth Conversations across Virginia to provide opportunities for discussion on how schools and communities can build new norms around phone usage.
– Citizen Publisher Tom Lappas contributed to this article
