NORFOLK, Va. — Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed an executive order Tuesday to curtail student use of cell phones in public schools.
Under Executive Order 33, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has been directed to draft guidance for school divisions to adopt policies and procedures "to establish cell phone-free education."
The department will have to publish its draft guidance by Aug. 15 and issue final guidance in September, according to a news release from Youngkin's office. Youngkin's order aims to have school divisions adopt the guidance by Jan. 1, 2025.
"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," Youngkin said in a news release announcing the executive order.
According to the news release, the executive order directs the VDOE to "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."
13News Now heard what Hampton Roads parents thought of the change.
“I think that it will reduce distractions, like students look at their phones instead of paying attention to what the teacher is saying," said Virginia Beach mother Leah.
“Unfortunately, this day in age, all the school shootings, I would much prefer my child to have a phone just in case something like that does happen," said Virginia Beach mother Brianna.
Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera said as a mother herself, she understands the concern some parents may have. However, she emphasizes that VDOE will also establish ways for parents to still contact their kids in cases of emergencies.
“A huge part of this is not just the policy around prohibiting cell phones," Guidera explained. "A lot of this has to be about what else are we doing to ensure that parents can be in touch with the school, that they have assurances that the school knows how to contact them if something happens?"
Youngkin also announced the VDOE and the Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services would make a combined $500,000 available from existing funds to support the initiative.
Some local school divisions already restrict cell phone access during school hours.
In a statement following the issuing of the executive order, Virginia Beach City Public Schools said they believe it "aligns with our current regulations, which were adopted in 2022. We are constantly reviewing the impacts of cell phones and social media on student learning and our learning environment in general."
Youngkin's executive order would be the first statewide initiative to eliminate or severely restrict cell phone usage for all of the state's public schools.
In a statement to 13News Now, VDOE Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons said the following:
“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. 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.”
Below are the existing cell phone policies for Hampton Roads school divisions:
Virginia Beach City Public Schools: Cell phone use is "prohibited during instructional time and in instructional settings."
Hampton Public Schools: Elementary and middle school students may have cell phones; however, they must be turned off and stowed away upon arrival at school. For high school students, "devices may not be visible and must not interfere with the instructional program or activity."
Chesapeake Public Schools: "While students may possess [personal communication devices] on school property, during school hours, while participating in afterschool activities, and while at school-related functions, PCDs must be powered completely off, properly stored away, and not visible."
Suffolk Public Schools: "The School Board hereby permits the use of portable communication/technology devices by students enrolled in Suffolk Public Schools during the school day."
Newport News Public Schools: "Elementary students with cell phones should keep them off, and out of sight, during regular school hours and during after-school activities. Middle and high school students are permitted to have and use cell phones or two-way communication devices after school dismissal on school board property."
13News Now is waiting to hear back from Portsmouth Public Schools and Norfolk Public Schools.