By Madie MacDonald – December 2nd, 2024

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order on Thursday in the hopes of protecting children from addictive social media platforms.

Executive Order 43, also called Empowering and Supporting Parents to Protect Their Children from Addictive Social Media and Establishment of the Reclaiming Childhood Task Force, aims to tackle the youth mental health crisis in Virginia through providing resources to parents, educators and healthcare providers.

“Virginia and the nation’s children are facing a youth mental health crisis driven by the effects of unrestricted cell phone use and addictive social media platforms,” Youngkin said. “The scope of this challenge is going to require all of us, private sector, non-profit organizations and government can support parents as they work to improve their children’s mental health. Executive Order 43 will empower parents with the tools they need to protect their children and sets the stage for a statewide response to reclaim childhood and ensure the next generation can thrive.”

The order will establish the use of a “Social Media and Mental Health Toolkit,” which will provide prevention strategies and regional training for behavioral health professionals through a partnership with health providers.

“One thing we have heard from mothers and fathers across the Commonwealth is that they are looking for information and guidance on how to make the best choices for their kids,” First Lady Suzane S. Youngkin said. “The Reclaiming Childhood Task Force will unite families, experts, and communities to create a healthier future for Virginia’s children.”

According to a release, the task force will help to identify solutions to improve youth mental health and build upon the efforts from Youngkin’s Executive Order 33, which introduced a cell phone-free policy for Virginia schools.

Virginia Department of Education releases cell phone-free policy

“Government cannot be the sole solution to this social media crisis, but our schools are on the front lines of supporting students’ mental health and well-being,” Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera said. “Executive Order 43 directs our state agencies to provide research, tools, and resources that can support educators and parents as they create healthy, nurturing environments where students can focus on learning and growth.”

Youngkin held a summit in Richmond Thursday morning during Virginia’s Reclaiming Childhood Youth Mental Health Summit, where he discussed the executive order.