| First Lady of Virginia, Suzanne S. Youngkin, was joined by, award-winning, social psychologist Dr. Jonathan Haidt for a “Commonwealth Conversation” aimed at addressing the youth mental health crisis fueled by excessive social media and smartphone use. The discussion — organized by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and live-streamed to schools across the Commonwealth —focused on data and insights from Dr. Haidt’s book, “The Anxious Generation”, which highlights the sharp rise in anxiety, depression, and suicide among adolescents in the wake of rapid digital technology adoption. Together, they discussed the book’s rich and challenging content ranging from the importance of “discovery” in play, to addictive content and algorithms, to the current epidemic of mental illness among youth. As a mother and as someone who hears the concerns of parents from across the Commonwealth, the First Lady urges families, schools, and communities to thoughtfully consider Dr. Haidt’s four, key recommendations: no smartphones before high school; no social media before age 16; phone-free schools; and more independence and free play for children. Governor Youngkin’s Executive Order 33 establishing cell phone-free education in Virginia schools is already underway, but the evening’s questions and answers emphasize that meaningful change requires collective action in homes and at the community level. “Data doesn’t lie and the research underpinning warnings about the rewiring of brains by screen-based, sedentary childhoods is deeply concerning,” said First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin. “As parents of four, Gen Z children, Glenn and I have seen firsthand how social media and smartphones have penetrated their lives. We must work together as families and communities to protect the mental health of our children through data-informed, caring, age-appropriate, guardrails that ensure our youngest Virginian’s wellbeing.” “To reverse the epidemic of mental illness engulfing our youth, it will take clear leadership and collective action,” said Dr. Jonathan Haidt. “Governor Youngkin has provided that leadership with Executive Order 33, which will give all students in Virginia a phone-free school day in which to learn and make friends. The First Lady has come up with a brilliant way to promote collective action — by encouraging schools and parents to work together across the Commonwealth. I am so honored to be working with Mrs. Youngkin to support Virginia schools.” “Children have one opportunity to live a childhood full of innocence and wonder. Too often, social media apps create dark corners, away from parents, where kids are exposed to things parents would never allow in real life,” said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Janet Kelly. “Fortunately, the Governor, First Lady and experts like Jonathan Haidt are advocating a way forward for families that is free of exploitation and anxiety.” “The broadcasted Fireside Chat between Dr. Haidt and the First Lady and the school-based conversations planned across Virginia yesterday will help to build awareness, increase understanding, and spark urgency to address the negative impact of cellphones and social media on our youth,” said Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera. “We encourage schools and other community organizations to continue these ‘Commonwealth Conversations’ to inform the school board decisions around the implementation of bell-to-bell Cell Phone-Free education and to discuss how all of us—acting together—can embrace common sense solutions to restore safety, health, vibrancy to childhood.” To support this movement, join a Commonwealth Conversation in a school in your community. A recorded conversation between the First Lady and Dr. Haidt is available for streaming here. For more information or to learn about Virginia’s cell phone-free education policy, click here. | 
