Virginia expands cell phone-free policies in schools to tackle youth mental health challenges
Richmond, Virginia – Aiming at addressing the growing mental health crisis among Virginia’s young, Governor Glenn Youngkin signed Executive Order 43, focusing on reducing the detrimental effects of social media on minors. The executive order, titled “Empowering and Supporting Parents to Protect Their Children from Addictive Social Media & Establishment of the Reclaiming Childhood Task Force,” was announced during the Reclaiming Childhood Youth Mental Health Summit in Richmond, Virginia.
Governor Youngkin underlined the significant challenges that children and teenagers face from having free access to social media and cellphones.
“Virginia and the nation’s children are facing a youth mental health crisis driven by the effects of unrestricted cell phone use and addictive social media platforms,” Youngkin said according a press release.
In order to help parents in their attempts to protect their children’s mental health, he underlined that a cooperative effort including the government, business sector, and non-profit organizations is critical.
The executive order presents a whole plan including the development of tools and resources to help parents, teachers, and medical professionals fight the negative consequences of too heavy social media use. Among these materials is the creation of a “Social Media and Mental Health Toolkit,” meant to offer doable guidance and avoidance tactics. The directive also requires regional training for behavioral health specialists and helps alliances with other medical practitioners.
“One thing we have heard from mothers and fathers across the Commonwealth is that they are looking for information and guidance on how to make the best choices for their kids. The Reclaiming Childhood Task Force will unite families, experts, and communities to create a healthier future for Virginia’s children,” said First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin.
Established under the executive order, the Reclaiming Childhood Task Force seeks to assemble a varied collection of stakeholders including mental health professionals, teachers, church leaders, and technological experts. Set to offer recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly, this task group will concentrate on developing practical answers to improve young mental health outcomes.
Building on past projects such Executive Order 33, which mandates cell phone-free instruction in Virginia’s K–12 public schools, the new task force aims to expand these initiatives using creative ideas.
“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 V. Kelly. “The Reclaiming Childh ood 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.”
Aimee Guidera, the Secretary of Education, also spoke on the part schools play in the frontline of this battle. Guidera clarified that although the government by itself cannot address this situation, our educational institutions are quite important in helping students’ mental health and general well-being. Executive Order 43, she said, orders state entities to provide teachers and parents the tools they need to create surroundings fit for healthy development and learning.
Emphasizing the major influence social media has on these developments, the summit also included discussions from professionals on the rising incidence of despair, anxiety, and self-harm among the young. These revelations underlined the pressing need of the policies implemented under Executive Order 43.
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Governor Youngkin is reaffirming Virginia’s dedication to safeguarding its younger population and empowering parents at a pivotal moment when the effects of the digital age are more obvious than ever by signing this executive order. As the state develops these programs, the combined efforts of all the participants will be vital in recovering the childhoods of Virginia’s young people so guaranteeing their ability to grow into healthy, successful adults.
For more information about Executive Order 43 and the Reclaiming Childhood Task Force, click here.
