Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order on Tuesday implementing anti-cellphone education in Virginia elementary and middle schools.

Issued by Youngkin Executive Order 33It directs the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to work with parents, students, teachers and local school leaders to limit or prohibit the use of personal cell phones during school hours. according to The order will begin creating special protocols to allow parents to contact their children during emergencies and other important situations, according to a press release.

According to the executive order, parents and educators have expressed concern about “serious mental health crises and chronic health conditions plaguing young people” as a result of children's excessive use of social media and possession of mobile phones. (Related article: “Distracting”: Schools ban mobile phones as kids can't concentrate in class)

“This important measure will promote a healthier, more engaged educational environment where all children can learn freely. Creating a cell phone and social media-free educational environment in Virginia's K-12 education system will benefit students, parents and educators,” Youngkin said in a press release.

According to a press release, VDOE and the Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services (DBDHS) will provide a combined $500,000 from existing funds to implement the mental health initiative.

We are implementing cell phone ban education in schools to benefit students, parents and educators across Virginia. This important work promotes healthier educational environments where all children can learn freely. https://t.co/A6CA7htBt1

— Governor Glenn Youngkin (@GovernorVA) July 9, 2024

“Today's executive order has the clear goal of protecting the health and safety of students by limiting exposure to addictive cellphones and social media, and eliminating clear distractions in the classroom,” Youngkin said.

The order requires the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Superintendent of Public Schools, the Department of Education, and State Health Commissioners to follow a detailed list of actions and methods to address new mobile-free learning styles, including developing a detailed definition of “mobile-free education,” facilitating public consultations, and publishing model implementation plans.

“Cellphones and digital media are disconnecting pre-teens and teens from the real world, increasing mental health issues and significantly disrupting important daily learning in the classroom,” Public Schools Superintendent Lisa Coons said in a press release.

Virginia has followed California's lead, with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) board passing a resolution in June banning cell phone use during class. The school board's June ban reverses an initial directive from 2011 that prohibited cell phone use in class and only allowed social media access for educational purposes.

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