RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed an executive order on Thursday that will aim to defend teenagers and kids against the negative effects of social media.
Executive Order 43 is called Empowering and Supporting Parents to Protect Their Children from Addictive Social Media & Establishment of the Reclaiming Childhood Task Force, and it has two major tenets; one, to establish the Reclaiming Childhood Task Force; and two, to develop a Social Media and Mental Health Toolkit.
The Toolkit will be created by health professionals and will help to "emphasize prevention strategies" as well as create regional training for behavioral health practitioners.
"As concerns over the impact of social media on the overall wellbeing of children and teens continues to grow, it is paramount that the Commonwealth provide resources and guidance to support families to combat social media companies who cause addictive behavior," Youngkin's order reads.
In the announcement, Youngkin described the Task Force as a body that will build upon a prior executive order, EO 33, which banned almost all cell phone use in Virginia K-12 schools. It will be comprised of parents, teachers, mental health experts, faith leaders, private sector technology experts, public safety officials and community leaders that will provide "actionable solutions" to the mental health crisis to the governor and General Assembly.
“The pervasive use of social media, cell phones, and the addictive algorithms that power them are preventing kids from living out their true purpose and potential,” said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Janet Kelly. “The Reclaiming Childhood Task Force will drive collaboration and innovation to address this mental health crisis and ensure our children grow up with the tools they need to thrive.”
