Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed the bill Friday, restricting the use of cell phones for all Virginia State, middle and high school students.
Having built a political career defending parents’ rights in education, Youngkin ceremonies two versions of the bill, HB1961 and SB738, at Carter G. Woodson Middle School in Hopewell, Virginia. Youngkin said it was a suitable place for a day filled with such “hope”.
“When we come together – elected officials, administrators, teachers, parents, and everything about you – we can move the mountains and change what needs to be changed. It’s about finding freedom from a mobile phone, freedom,” public school students. Education advocate. And local politicians.
“We’re getting together to move the mountains,” Youngkin said, highlighting the negative effects of cell phones on mental illness, classroom behavior, academic performance and interpersonal relationships.
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Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has signed a law restricting the use of mobile phones at schools. (istock;Getty Images)
The bill signed to protect the health and safety of students at K-12 Public Schools in Virginia by strictly limiting the use of phones in classrooms, reducing distractions and confusion, codifying Youngkin’s executive order signed last year, and issuing guidance on establishing mobile phone-free education policies and procedures.
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“We are based on the foundation built by Executive Order 33 to make Virginia a national leader to restore Virginia’s focus, restore excellence in the classroom, and restore health and safety in schools. The law ensures that all school departments adopt mobile phones from the classroom and create a learning environment that is free from distractions.
Research shows that using mobile phones in the classroom can have negative effects on student achievement, social skills, emotional development and mental health.
In a 2024 Pew Research Center study, over 70% of high school teachers said distracting students who distract their phones in the classroom was a major problem.
“This wasn’t just a problem. It’s not a crisis. And when we’re in a crisis, we have a uniform call for action. That’s what this rally is, this uniform call for action,” Youngkin said.
Gov. Governor Glenn Youngkin signs the bill to a law restricting the use of mobile phones in Virginia’s public schools. (Governor Glenn Youngkin’s office)
Hopewell City public schools adopted a “pouch system” at their secondary schools at the beginning of the 2022-2023 academic year.
“It was your leadership that influenced the executive order I wrote last summer, so I would like to add appreciation to Hopewell’s leadership,” Youngkin said.
Statewide law requires school boards to develop public schools to enact policies to restrict students’ mobile phone use during the day. The law includes exceptions for students with individual educational plans, section 504 plans, or health conditions, so you can use your mobile phone when you are medically required.
Teenager scrolls through the phone. (istock)
The law also prohibits schools from suspending, expelling or removing students from their classes for violating cell phone policies.
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Florida became the first state in 2023 to pass a law regulating cell phone use in schools. Currently, more than half of all states have similar laws in place.
Deirdre Heavey is a political writer for Fox News Digital.
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