Govenor Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order on July 9, 2024, directing the Virginia Department of Education and other state agencies to provide guidance to local school divisions on the establishment of cell phone-free education policies and procedures. The Governor's order cited evidence that children spend an average of 4.8 hours per day on social media, which increases the risk of mental health problems.
The Department of Education is hosting a series of Commonwealth Conversations--meetings with parents and other concerned citizens--to get feedback on Virginians' expectations for cell phone-free education. The closest meeting for Smyth County citizens will be held from 3:00-4:30 pm Thursday, Aug. 1, at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon. If you wish to speak at the Aug. 1 event, please register online.
If you are unable to attend Thursday's meeting, you can share your thoughts through the Department of Education's cell phone-free web page.