Governor Youngkin issues order to ban cell phones in public school

Public school systems across Virginia will soon have to demonstrate how they will enforce a ban on students having cell phones in the classroom. 

Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order #33 yesterday directing multiple department heads across the state government to come up with policies for how schools will implement the prohibition of what has become a ubiquitous part of American life.

“Parents, public health professionals, educators, and other stakeholders across the Commonwealth are expressing concern over the alarming mental health crisis and chronic health conditions affecting adolescents, such as depression and anxiety, driven in part by extensive social media usage and widespread cell phone possession among children,” reads the order. 

The order notes that many school divisions in Virginia have policies in place to restrict usage whereas others leave it up to individual teachers. 

“Clear guidance provided by the Virginia Department of Education will significantly benefit students, parents, and educators, while assisting local school boards and divisions in considering the appropriate response in mental health and educational problem,” the order continues. 

There are eight specific directives for the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the State Health Commissioner to take on. The second requires the establishment of a definition of what “cell phone-free education” would mean. 

The fourth would require publication of guidelines for policies and procedures by August 15, 2024. The fifth would require rules for how parents can communicate with children during the day as well as carve out exceptions for students with medical needs who may need access to phones for emergencies. 

School divisions have until January 1, 2025 to comply. There are no suggested punishments.

What are the policies in place in this area? 

• Albemarle County Public Schools have a policy for middle school students that require cell phones to be put away for the day between 9 a.m. and 4:05 p.m. In high school, cell phones is prohibited during class and the devices must remain out of sight. However, they may be used between classes and at lunch. (review policies)
• Charlottesville City Schools instituted a policy last year that phones be “off and away the entire day” and the system began piloting the use of “Yondr pouches” this past academic year but opted not to proceed with their use. The last update on their website is from last August. (review policies)
• Fluvanna County Public Schools also ban the use of devices during class, and they must be put away during the day. Unfiltered internet connections are not allowed and communication with family members is not allowed without permission. (review parent’s guide)
• Greene County Public Schools have a similar policy to the one in Fluvanna that allows possession but not use during instructional time unless a teacher allows it to be used for instructional purchases. Unfiltered internet is also now allowed. (Greene County handbook)
• Louisa County Public School devotes a paragraph to communication devices in their Code of Conduct if they are “off and out of sight during the school day except for authorized use.” They are also not to be used on school buses unless the driver gives permission. (Code of Conduct)
• The Code of Conduct for Nelson County Public Schools uses the phrase “off and out of sight during the instruction time” but refers parents to each school for more specific rules for each one. Use on buses is okay, but at no point can the devices be used to film anything. (read the Code of Conduct)

What do you think? 

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