Hanging Up
7/11/2024, 6 p.m.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin seems to think that it’s a good idea to keep students separated from their mobile phones while they’re in school. We’re inclined to agree with him.
This week, he issued an executive order that will restrict and limit cell phone use in schools.
In it he wrote, “Today’s Executive Order both establishes the clear goal to protect the health and safety of our students by limiting the amount of time they are exposed to addictive cell phones and social media and eliminates clear distractions in the classroom.”
Hear, hear.
The order mirrors similar decrees in other states and other countries, as well. Educators are concerned about the phones distracting students from their assignments and being used for antisocial behavior, such as bullying.
If you are young enough to remember your school days, then you know that distracted students aren’t just a problem from the cell phone era. But if this can reduce the problem, we think it’s worth the effort.