by Cruz Walden and Andrew McGhan
VCU Capital News Service
RICHMOND—Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s cellphone ban in K-12 schools will go into effect on January 1, 2025, but some lawmakers want to give localities the option to establish their own policies.
Gov. Youngkin issued Executive Order 33 earlier this year, which outlined the reasons behind the ban: cellphones are a distraction and potentially worsen students’ mental health.
The order cites mental health concerns caused by social media usage amongst children, as well as growing suicide and depression rates. Suicide rates have increased 167% since 2010 for girls and 91% for boys, according to the governor’s office. Depression rates have spiked 145% for girls and 161% for boys.
Children spend an average of 4.8 hours a day on social media, according to the order. Recent studies indicate more than three hours a day spent on social media doubles the risk of poor mental health for adolescents.
The Virginia Department of Education released its final guidance on September 16. The parameters of the ban were set at “bell-to-bell,” which includes between classes and during lunch or recess periods. There are exemptions for students with medical needs in….
