The First Lady of Virginia, Suzanne Youngkin, and Dr. Jonathan Haidt, an award-winning social psychologist and author, led a fireside chat recently at Old Bridge Elementary School. The chat, which focused on the impact of cellphones on children, was live streamed throughout Virginia. It gathered parents, educators, and community members to discuss the influence of social media and cellphone use on children’s well-being, drawing insights from Dr. Haidt’s book, “The Anxious Generation.”

The event coincided with the release of Governor Youngkin’s Guidance for Cell Phone-Free Education Pursuant to Executive Order 33. The guidance is designed to clarify the executive order and “reinforce the importance of ‘bell-to-bell' cell phone-free education.”

First Lady Suzanne Youngkin praised the efforts of Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) in leading the conversation about technology and youth well-being, stating:

“We are so proud of Prince William County Public Schools for being at the tip of the spear of this most important conversation. We really want to bring people together around issues that are going to benefit the next generation of Virginians. We are so grateful to this school district for your leadership, for your energy, and for your focus on these most important issues that are going to make a difference to the wellbeing of our youth.”

The conversation focused on how reducing screen time, particularly by limiting social media and cell phone use, can lead to better outcomes for children’s mental and emotional health. Dr. Haidt, a leading voice in this field, shared research that underscores how constant digital connectivity can fuel anxiety and social pressures among youth and argued for more play-based learning.

Dr. Haidt expressed his excitement about the growing recognition of the need to reduce distractions caused by phones in schools, noting:

“Well, it’s been thrilling that the whole state is behind this. The whole state is going to go phone-free. That there is a recognition in the whole state that kids shouldn’t be bringing phones into schools and being distracted.” Haidt continued, “So, it is really nice to have this meeting at this really beautiful elementary school. It just feels like a really healthy place, and I think this is going to be a turning point for the kids of Virginia. They are going to get a better education, have more fun in school, and have better friendships.”

Attendees participated in a facilitated discussion, exploring how these findings can shape policies and practices in schools and communities. The session also provided an opportunity for parents, educators, and community members to share ideas and discuss best practices for cell phone and social media use, both inside and outside of school.

“It was so enlightening to hear the open dialogue surrounding the new cell phone policy from parents, students, and teachers,” said Kailey Thom, senior at Brentsville District High School and alternate student representative to the PWCS School Board, who helped facilitate the discussions. “I enjoyed hearing such diverse perspectives surrounding the issue, and it made me much more aware of how much of a multi-faceted issue cell phones are for our generation, as well as how much it affects those who interact with us, including our teachers and communities.”

The event marked a significant step in the ongoing efforts to support the health and development of Virginia’s children through more mindful technology use, positioning PWCS as a leader in these important conversations.