Virginia Governor Orders Schools In The State To Go Cell-Phone Free

The goal is to limit the amount of time students are exposed to cell phones and social media as well as reduce distractions in the classroom.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has ordered schools in the state to go cell-phone free.

Youngkin issued the executive order directing the Virginia Department of Education to draft a guide for public schools to adopt cell-phone free policies. The department will also work with teachers, parents, students and other leaders to create procedures that establish the new ban.

The goal is to limit the amount of time students are exposed to cell phones and social media as well as reduce distractions in the classroom.

The department has until August 15 to publish their draft guidance and will issue its final guidance in September. School districts will then need to adopt by January 1.

The order puts Virginia in line with several other states including New York and California, who have proposed similar bans.