RICHMOND, VA – Last week, Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 33, which directs the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to draft guidance for public school divisions to adopt local policies and procedures establishing cell phone-free education. Leaders across the Commonwealth and the nation reacted to the continued commitment towards protecting the health and safety of Virginia’s students.
Hours after the Executive Order, Hanover County School Board voted 6-1 to ban devices and headphones for all grade levels. This is a bold step forward from their existing policy towards a cell-phone free school day with cell phones off and out of sight for the entire school day.
NATIONAL LEADERS
“Thanks to Governor Glenn Youngkin for leading on the critical issue of distracted learning. Kids need to scroll less to learn more,” said former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. “This executive order provides needed guidance to schools and communities.”
“More fantastic news: Virginia schools will go phone free. Well done Gov. Youngkin,” said NYU-Stern Social Psychologist Jonathan Haidt. “Red, blue, and purple states are doing it. Politicians in both parties are parents, they see what is happening.”
EDUCATION STAKEHOLDERS
“As a former teacher, I am immensely grateful to Governor Youngkin for this executive order, which supports teachers as the instructional leaders we expect them to be each and every day for students across the Commonwealth,” said Virginia Board of Education President Grace Creasey. “There is a time and a place for the use of technology in our classrooms, and with this executive order, Governor Youngkin has given our teachers the autonomy to make decisions about the use of technology during instructional time.”
“The Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals supports the Governor’s Executive Order #33 (2024). As elementary principals we have experienced first-hand the decline in student wellness as a result of many factors including social media and cell phone usage. We look forward to the ongoing dialogue with the VDOE on developing appropriate educational policies surrounding this important issue,” said Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals Executive Director Krista Barton-Arnold.
“This isn’t just a pro-child and pro-parental rights policy, this is a pro-teacher policy,” said Director of the Independent Women’s Network Julie Gunlock. “Teachers have enough on their plate. They shouldn’t also have to act as the phone police in the classroom, constantly badgering students to put away their devices. This executive order supports teachers who simply want to teach with the full attention of their students. The Independent Women’s Network applauds Governor Youngkin’s action to give teachers and parents the help they need to end cell phone use in the classroom.”
“Governor Youngkin’s executive order makes it clear that phones aren’t a minor nuisance in schools, they are a menace. Highly addictive smartphones and social media platforms are profoundly harming students emotionally and academically. It is time for a collective action commitment to establishing cellphone-free classrooms across the Commonwealth,” said Director of the Education Freedom Center at the Independent Women’s Forum Ginny Gentles.
“I am excited to have been a part of the policy-making process regarding phones within the school system; I believe that phones provide a distraction but also see them as a necessary evil in some cases, as they can be wonderful tools that can help education,” said 2023-2024 Governor’s Student Advisory Board Member Lance Toapanta. “Regardless, I hope to see this executive order help improve the quality of education within the Commonwealth.”
“I am not able to express my happiness at this moment for being a tiny part of this specific Executive Order. I am very grateful to have worked with peers… in the prestigious role of being a board member. I enjoyed every bit of the whole experience. It feels really good to be able to bring change, a change that brings betterment to our communities and the future of students in Virginia. I loved everything about the Order passes and, as I advocated for it amongst our strong opinions throughout the extended conversation we had over lunch I am very happy with the decision and hope it brings out some splendid results in the foreseeable future. I would have the document on my desktop screen hoping to get reminded of this very small contribution that did something positive, and I will try my best to be a part of programs like this in the future,” said 2023-2024 Governor’s Student Advisory Board Member Abubakkar Rahim.
HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
“The Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (VA AAP) strongly supports Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Executive Order 33. As pediatricians, we recognize the profound impact that excessive cell phone use and social media can have on children’s mental health and academic performance. The American Psychological Association’s findings, which highlight the doubled risk of poor mental health among adolescents spending over three hours daily on social media, underscore the urgency of this initiative. Implementing cell phone-free education is a prudent and essential measure to create a healthier, more focused learning environment. We commend the administration’s commitment to engaging parents, educators, and public health professionals in developing age-appropriate guidelines. Furthermore, the allocation of funds to support family nights and community engagement events is a commendable step towards addressing youth mental health challenges holistically,” said President of the Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Dr. Natasha Sriraman.
“The greatest resource we all have is our attention. This is especially important for a child’s developing brain for learning and memory,” said Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU Chair of the Department of Pediatrics Shari Barkin, MD, MSHS. “Cell-free zones during educational instruction is one way to help train brains to focus. Ultimately this is one of the lifelong skills we all need to develop.”
“The Virginia Association of Community-Based Providers (VACBP) wholeheartedly supports Governor Youngkin for taking action on the use of cell phones in Virginia schools. Research continues to show that excessive cell phone use has been linked to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances among young people. By limiting cell phone use in schools, we can create a more focused and mentally healthy learning environment that better promotes cognitive development, social interaction, and overall well-being. We are hopeful this proactive measure will help students to develop healthier relationships with technology, improve academic performance, and cultivate stronger interpersonal connections,” said Virginia Association of Community-Based Providers (VACBP) Executive Director Mindy Carlin. “The VACBP applauds the Administration’s commitment to prioritizing the mental health and academic success of our students, and we believe this ban will have a long-term, positive impact on the well-being of our youth.”
“The mental health of our young people must be a priority and include thoughtful approaches to how technology like smartphones can influence children’s well being, including learning and social interaction. Hearing from all segments of the community will help inform the best way to approach this important issue,” said Mental Health America of Virginia Executive Director Bruce Cruser.
“The Virginia Association of School Nurses celebrates Governor Youngkin’s most recently issued Executive Order to establish cell phone-free educational environments for K-12 public school students. School nurses play a critical role in promoting a safe and healthy environment for students to grow, learn and play, and we look forward to engaging in the development of these policies,” said Virginia Association of School Nurses President Betsy Looney.
