Governor Glenn Youngkin Issues Executive Order for Cell Phone-Free Education in Virginia

Governor Glenn Youngkin has taken a bold step towards improving education and youth mental health by issuing Executive Order 33. This order instructs the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to draft guidance for public school divisions to establish cell phone-free environments during instructional time.

Governor Youngkin’s executive order emphasizes the need for a collaborative approach to developing these policies. The VDOE will engage with parents, students, teachers, local school leaders, and other stakeholders to create age-appropriate restrictions on cell phone use during school hours. Additionally, protocols will be developed to ensure parents can contact their children in emergencies.

To support this initiative, the Governor announced that VDOE and the Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services (DBDHS) will allocate $500,000 from existing funds. These resources will aid in implementing the new policies, which aim to create a healthier educational environment.

The executive order comes at a critical time, as youth mental health issues are on the rise. Extensive cell phone and social media use contribute significantly to conditions like depression and anxiety. Studies show children spend an average of 4.8 hours daily on social media. Alarmingly, the CDC reports a dramatic increase in suicide rates among teens and a significant rise in depression from 2010 to 2021.

Governor Youngkin highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating, “This essential 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.”

Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera emphasized the need for community involvement, saying, “The data is clear, and it is time for Virginians to come together to address social media and screens’ damage to healthy childhoods. School communities—especially parents and teachers—must collaborate to discuss and develop common-sense approaches to limit screen time.”

The VDOE will publish draft guidance by August 15, with final guidance in September. Local school divisions are encouraged to adopt these policies by January 1, 2025. Listening sessions and public engagement opportunities will be held to gather input and feedback on best practices.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons noted the detrimental effects of cell phone use on learning. “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.”

Recent studies support this view, indicating that students using phones during class learn less, achieve lower grades, and struggle with focus and engagement.

As part of the Back-to-School Season, a “Commonwealth Conversations” series will be held across Virginia. These discussions aim to build new norms around phone usage in schools and communities, reinforcing reduced screen time’s benefits for students’ mental and physical health.

Governor Youngkin’s executive order marks a significant statewide effort to enhance learning environments by limiting cell phone use. The initiative is a crucial step towards addressing the mental health crisis among youth and improving educational outcomes.

For more information on how to engage and provide input, visit the VDOE’s website.