Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) on Tuesday ordered his state’s schools to go cellphone-free, as similar technology bans take hold in schools across the country.
Youngkin issued the executive order directing the Virginia Department of Education to develop guidance for public schools to adopt cell phone-free policies. The department will also work with teachers, parents, students and other leaders to create procedures “that establish the age-appropriate restriction or elimination of cell phone use during school hours.”
The goal of the order is to limit the amount of time students are “exposed to cell phones and addictive social media” and reduce distractions in the classroom, Youngkin said in a statement.
“This essential action will promote a healthier, more focused educational environment where all children are free to learn. Creating educational environments free of cell phones and social media in Virginia’s K-12 education system will benefit students, parents and educators,” Youngkin said.
“It also begins the robust conversations among parents, students, teachers, and school and community leaders necessary to design and implement these policies and procedures at the local level,” he added.
The Virginia Department of Education has until August 15 to publish its draft guidance and will issue its final guidance in September. School districts will need to adopt cell phone exemption policies by January 1, 2025.
Youngkin’s order comes weeks after Surgeon General Vivek Murthy again sounded the alarm about the risks social media can pose to teens. Murthy warned in a separate statement last year that social media is contributing to the youth mental health crisis.
Virginia is just the latest to implement a ban on cellphone use in schools. New York City plans to ban cellphones in schools, while the Los Angeles school district passed a cellphone measure last month. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) also said last month that he supported restricting cellphone use in schools.
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