Cellphone use in Virginia public schools is expected to be restricted starting next year, under an executive order from Gov. Glenn Youngkin that calls for a cellphone-free environment.
The executive order directs the Virginia Department of Education to work on guidance to restrict or eliminate student use of phones during instructional time, as well as protocols that would allow parents to contact their children in emergencies.
“Creating a cellphone-free education environment in public schools is not only a prudent measure but an essential one to promote a healthier and more focused educational environment where every child is free to learn,” Executive Order 33 said.
Young people spend 4.8 hours a day on social media, according to the American Psychological Association. Studies have indicated that social media has a negative impact on the mental health of children, the executive order states.
Across NoVA, school systems have already been working on how to deal with cellphone usage during class time.
Now, the state education department will hold listening sessions with the community, come up with a definition for what a cellphone-free environment would involve, suggest implementation plans for school systems, and publish that guidance.
The state education department is expected to issue draft guidance to create a cellphone-free environment by mid-August, with final guidance coming by September 16. School boards would be expected to adopt plans by the start of 2025.
The governor said the order “establishes the clear goal to protect the health and safety of our students by limiting the amount of time they are exposed to addictive cellphones and social media and eliminates clear distractions in the classroom.”
The cellphone-free initiative will be funded by $500,000 in existing funds given to the education department and the Department of Behavioral Health and Development.
Feature image by Home-stock/stock.adobe.com
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