By Madie MacDonald – December 2nd, 2024

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – Gov. Glenn Youngkin released an executive order Thursday to protect children from social media platforms that are addictive.

Executive Order 43 (also known as Empowering and supporting parents to protect their children from addictive social media and Establishing the Reclaiming Childhood Task Force) aims to address the mental health crisis among Virginia youth by providing resources for parents, educators, and healthcare providers.

Youngkin stated that “Virginia, and the children of the United States are experiencing a crisis in youth mental health due to the unrestricted use of cell phones and addictive social media platforms.” The scope of the challenge will require us all, including government, non-profits, and private sector to support parents in their efforts to improve children’s mental well-being. Executive Order 43 empowers parents to protect their children. It also sets up a statewide effort to reclaim childhood for the next generation.

The order will set up the “Social Media and Mental Health Toolkit,” a resource that will provide prevention strategies and training to behavioral health professionals in partnership with healthcare providers.

First Lady Suzane Youngkin stated that parents and mothers across the Commonwealth are seeking information and guidance to help them make the right choices for their children. The Reclaiming Childhood Task Force is a group of experts and families who will work together to help create a better future for Virginia children.

According to the release, the taskforce will identify solutions for improving youth mental health, and build on the efforts of Youngkin’s Executive Order 33 which introduced a policy that prohibits cell phones in Virginia schools.

Virginia Department of Education releases a cell phone-free policy

Aimee Guidera, Secretary of Education, said: “Government can’t be the only solution to this social-media crisis. Our schools are at the forefront of supporting student mental health and wellbeing.” Executive Order 43 requires our state agencies provide resources, research and tools to help educators and parents create a healthy and nurturing environment where students can focus their attention on learning and growth.

Youngkin spoke about the executive order at a Richmond summit held Thursday morning as part of Virginia’s Reclaiming Childhood Youth Mental Health Summit.

FairfaxGOP originally wrote this and published it as Gov. Youngkin Announces Executive Order To Protect Children From Social Media